"Indonesia can emulate how to use technology based on research from universities for many aspects in administrative processes and services for its citizens," Karnavian noted in a written statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore received in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Indonesian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Singapore, Suryopratomo, also echoed the same view during a panel discussion at the regional conference.
"Currently, Indonesia has more than two thousand startups, two decacorns, and more than seven unicorns. Startups, with the highest growth, are in the on-demand services, financial technology, and e-commerce sectors," Suryopratomo remarked.
Suryo, familiarly known as Tommy, remarked that Indonesia's increasingly digital economy will grow by 52 percent in 2021, with a total of US$53 billion (around Rp807 trillion), and is projected to reach over US$124 billion (around Rp1.8 quadrillion) by the end of 2025.
According to Suryo, this condition is very appropriate if Indonesia conducts intensive cooperation with Singapore, one of the largest financial and technology centers in the world.
The world of higher education in Indonesia also places NTU, a well-known university that is ranked 5th in Asia and 26th in the world, as a potential partner.
Meanwhile, the Education and Cultural Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore, Igak Satrya Wibawa, stated that NTU, as a campus with abundant research funds and a capable network of researchers, could help and collaborate in research on technology and the digital economy.
"Relations between Indonesia and Singapore in the higher education sector are characterized by strong and mutually beneficial cooperation," Wibawa stated.
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The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) facilitates this potential collaboration through various initiatives, exchange programs, and joint research efforts.
In 2022, a research consortium had been agreed between NTU and ITB, UI, UGM, and ITS, with the name INSPIRASI (Indonesia-NTU Singapore Institute of Research for Sustainability and Innovation), which focuses on sustainable development on the three main pillars of renewable energy, circular economy, and smart cities.
This joint research institute received funding support from NTU and the Education Fund Management Institute (LPDP) for five years.
Wibawa remarked that apart from the research consortium, NTU is also part of a consortium of six universities in Singapore and five universities in Indonesia in the tri-dharma higher education collaboration under the name RISING University Network.
According to Wibawa, this collaboration not only promotes cultural understanding and academic excellence but also facilitates the exchange of knowledge and expertise and contributes to the advancement of various fields of study.
The consortium kicked off in 2024, with several student and teaching staff exchange programs between the consortium member campuses.
"In 2023, there will be 25 IISMA program students studying for one semester at NTU as well as five students at SMU," Wibawa stated.
The NTU regional conference was also attended by Ambassador of Singapore to Indonesia, Kwook Fook Seng, NTU leaders, and several leading Indonesian campuses, including leaders of BUMN and industry in Indonesia.
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Translator: Asri M, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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