During his opening remarks at the 8th Open Innovation IMERI FKUI 2024 here on Friday, Harbuwono highlighted that many have felt the positive impacts of open innovation, with the COVID-19 pandemic experience as one prime example.
"During the pandemic, there were many innovation projects in the health sector, like protective equipment design and production, medical tools, rapid tests, vaccines, and drugs. These innovations combine ideas from academics, industry, and even the general public, thus expanding potentials of tech development, particularly in the health sector," he noted.
The deputy minister believes that involving several people in the health product and services innovation process can boost the progress significantly akin to that followed during COVID-19. Moreover, he said, open innovation will offer insights into the people's needs.
"Through participatory research and data crowdsourcing, we can ensure that the solution being developed is truly relevant, appropriate, and useful for people," Harbuwono affirmed.
However, open innovation also brings about a new challenge wherein the process must still be eco-friendly and sustainable. He opined that innovators must partake in measures to ensure that the environment is maintained well.
He suggested some steps, such as using recycled materials or something similar or applying artificial intelligence to reduce the use of energy and resources.
The deputy minister admitted that combining innovation with sustainability was replete with challenges. However, he believes that in the future, sustainability will become an integral element of innovation.
On the occasion, Harbuwono expressed hope that the event, hosted by the University of Indonesia, would motivate and rouse the creativity of students and researchers alike so they can pursue more innovative breakthroughs in the medical field.
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Reporter: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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