"This funding aims to facilitate researchers access direct cash when they win research grants. This will be supported by the Rp1.8 trillion funding scheme that will be announced soon," Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie noted in a press conference at the 2025 Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI) in Bandung on Friday.
She specified that the eight priority fields comprise food, energy, health, defense, maritime, downstreaming and industrialization, digitalization (including AI and semiconductors), and advanced materials and manufacturing.
According to Christie, these eight fields are a direct mandate from President Prabowo Subianto to realize Indonesia's ambition to become a developed nation.
"The president said we need energy security in order to become a self-sufficient country, while it is also crucial to achieve food security in the country," Christie added.
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In addition to providing research incentives, she noted that the government is streamlining regulations to alleviate administrative burdens on researchers and industries.
"After nine months in office, we have almost doubled our research funding by around 80 percent, which will be distributed directly to university researchers," she stated.
The 2025 KSTI took place on August 7-9, with the participation of 350 university leaders in Indonesia and one thousand of the country's top researchers.
The convention focused on integrating research, higher education, and industry within the eight priority sectors: food, energy, health, defense, maritime, downstreaming and industrialization, digitalization (including AI and semiconductors), and advanced materials and manufacturing.
These sectors were chosen based on Indonesia's strategic priorities for technological independence and enhanced global competitiveness.
On Thursday, President Prabowo called on researchers and industry players to unite in advancing the nation through the 2025 KSTI.
He made the appeal during his keynote address at the convention.
“This convention is being held as a direct initiative from President Prabowo to bring together the strengths of researchers, academics, and industry players, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM),” Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya stated.
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Translator: Sean Filo M, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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