Deputy Minister of Diktisaintek Stella Christie stressed that research should be viewed not as a financial burden but as an essential investment for national welfare.
"Research is a motor that can directly drive the economy. Beyond discourse, research can deliver tangible results in both the short and long term," she said in a statement on Sunday.
Christie highlighted efforts to strengthen collaboration between universities and industries, ensuring that research extends beyond laboratories to meet market needs.
"It is crucial to accustom our universities to research, because research gives birth to innovations that can stimulate the economy, create jobs, and strengthen Indonesia’s global position," she remarked.
She pointed to the Impactful Diktisaintek program, which guides universities to transform research into practical solutions for national challenges. The program also aims to reposition universities from being merely educational centers to becoming science-based drivers of development.
The ministry is promoting cooperation among universities, research institutes, businesses, and communities on projects related to strategic sectors such as food security, health, energy transition, and digitalization.
Christie further emphasized the need for Indonesia to intensify research and innovation to maximize the added value of its abundant natural resources.
As an example, she noted that Indonesia is among the world's largest seaweed producers and has begun exporting patchouli leaves from Aceh — a trend she attributed to the role of research.
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Translator: Sean F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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