Yuliarto delivered this message during a strategic public lecture at the National Resilience Institute of the Republic of Indonesia (Lemhannas RI) on Tuesday (July 29).
"People in developed countries master science and technology, possess leadership, and—most importantly—have integrity. These qualities are what we must continually seek and develop in our nation. It is rare to find all three combined in a single person," Minister Brian noted in a statement from Jakarta on Wednesday.
He remarked that this vision aligns with the need to develop high-quality human capital as a key element in strengthening Asta Gatra, the eight pillars of national resilience, which include geography, demography, and natural resources (Trigatra), along with ideology, politics, economy, socio-culture, and defense and security (Pancagatra).
The minister stressed that science and technology must serve as powerful drivers to reinforce all these pillars.
Brian highlighted the urgency of strengthening technological capacity and developing national talent as the foundation for transitioning toward a knowledge-based economy.
"With strategic natural resources like nickel and copper, Indonesia has a significant opportunity to advance downstream processing and leap into high-value industrialization," he remarked.
He expressed optimism that this transformation is a crucial step toward boosting the nation's competitiveness and realizing sustainable economic independence.
To support this goal, he called for strengthening national character through education that prioritizes substance over formality.
The minister also emphasized the importance of synergy among universities, industries, and the government to promote research, accelerate technology downstreaming, and foster a scientific culture, reading literacy, and analytical thinking among younger generations.
"In the face of global uncertainty, we cannot afford to be passive. We must emerge as a new force in science and technology," he remarked.
As a concrete step in consolidating national strength to address complex global challenges and maximize Indonesia’s geostrategic position, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology will organize the 2025 Indonesia Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI).
This forum is expected to become a strategic platform for strengthening cross-sector collaboration, aligning national research priorities, and accelerating the downstream implementation of innovation outcomes.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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