Every 16 September, the world commemorates the International Day of\nScience, Technology and Innovation for the South. Established by the\nUnited Nations through Resolution 7lar\/259, this observance serves as a\nreminder that science, technology, and innovation must act as forces for\nsustainable development, particularly for developing nations.<\/p>\n
For Indonesia, and for higher education institutions such as Ukrida,\nthis momentum is more than just an opportunity to celebrate\ntechnological progress. It is a call to ensure that the knowledge\ngenerated on campus can address real-world problems in society. A\nnation\u2019s progress should not be measured solely by the volume of\ntechnology used, but by its ability to create and develop solutions for\nits own needs.<\/p>\n
Indonesia clearly demonstrates these challenges. Society\u2019s life is\nincreasingly intertwined with digital technology. The 2024 Indonesia\nTelecommunications Statistics note that approximately 68.65 per cent of\nthe Indonesian population owns a mobile phone. However, households with\nor possessing computers have only reached 18.52 per cent. While\ntechnology is becoming more accessible, access to devices that support\nlearning, working, creating, and developing technology is not yet fully\nequitable.<\/p>\n
We have become users of various applications, artificial\nintelligence, electric vehicles, medical devices, and digital services.\nHowever, the critical question remains: how much of this technology is\nborn from Indonesian problems, developed by Indonesian researchers,\nproduced by Indonesian industry, and creates value for Indonesian\nsociety?<\/p>\n
In the 202 and5 Global Innovation Index, Indonesia ranks 55th out of\n139 countries. This achievement is commendable, especially as Indonesia\nis a middle-income country showing progress in its innovation ecosystem.\nNevertheless, this position serves as a reminder that the ability to\ngenerate and downstream innovation must continue to be strengthened.<\/p>\n
Therefore, our challenge is not merely to expand technology usage,\nbut to move from being users to being creators. This transition requires\nquality education, long-term research, the courage to take risks,\nfunding, and collaboration between universities, government, industry,\nand the community.<\/p>\n
Developing nations do not always need to pursue the most complex\ntechnologies. Many innovations needed by society stem from immediate\nneeds: more affordable medical examination tools, easy-to-use flood\nwarning systems, applications that assist small businesses, waste\nprocessing technology, or improvements in work processes that make\npublic services faster.<\/p>\n
In other words, innovation does not always have to be lofty.\nInnovation needs to be grounded.<\/p>\n
Grounded science begins with a willingness to listen. What\ndifficulties do patients face? What do healthcare workers need? Why do\nMSMEs struggle to use technology? Why are technically sound information\nsystems not being utilised? Why do research results stop at reports and\nfail to become solutions?<\/p>\n
Simple questions such as these can indeed be the starting point for\nvaluable research.<\/p>\n
Ukrida has a significant opportunity to play a part in this journey.\nIts primary strength lies not in a single field of study, but in the\nexistence of disciplines that can be integrated to solve shared\nproblems.<\/p>\n
In the health and human services cluster, Ukrida offers Medicine,\nMedical Profession, Nursing, Nursing Profession, and an Applied Bachelor\nin Optometry. These fields can contribute through research on disease\nprevention, patient safety, occupational health, elderly care, health\nmonitoring technology, and the expansion of healthcare access. Ukrida\u2019s\nApplied Bachelor in Optometry programme, the first and currently the\nonly one in Indonesia, holds a unique position to develop vision\nscreening models and eye examination innovations that reach a wider\npopulation.<\/p>\n
In the technology and intelligent systems cluster, Ukrida possesses\nElectrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Civil Engineering,\nInformatics, Information Systems, the Engineer Profession Programme, and\na Master\u2019s in Artificial Intelligence. The potential includes the\ndevelopment of smart devices, artificial intelligence, robotics,\nsustainable infrastructure, industrial process improvements, logistics\nsystems, and secure, user-friendly digital services.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Management and Accounting are essential to ensure that\ninnovation is not only technically superior but also viable for\nimplementation, possesses a sustainable financing model, and can grow.\nPsychology can assist in understanding user behaviour, societal\nacceptance of technology, mental health, and the impact of changing work\npatterns. English Literature is also vital for communicating science to\nthe public and ensuring that technology respects language, culture, and\nhuman values.<\/p>\n
Imagine a vision impairment screening programme designed through\ncollaboration. Optometry and Medicine could develop the examination\nmethods. Electrical Engineering could design portable devices.\nInformatics could build AI-based detection systems. Information Systems\ncould integrate examination data. Industrial Engineering could organise\neffective and efficient service flows. Management and Accounting could\ndesign affordable financing models. Psychology would help understand the\ncommunity\u2019s willingness to use such services. English Literature would\nassist in literacy across various groups regarding the available\nservices.<\/p>\n
It is this kind of collaboration that brings science closer to\nlife.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/grounded-science-ukridas-contribution-to-innovation-in-developing-nations-1789541684", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }