Atma Jaya University strengthens research and innovation with societal impact
Universitas Katolik Indonesia (Unika) Atma Jaya has pledged to continue strengthening a research and innovation ecosystem rooted in a commitment to society. The pledge follows the university gaining international recognition in the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2026 with a top global 500 achievement. Vice Rector for Innovation, Research, Cooperation, and Alumni Yanti stated in Jakarta on Thursday that this recognition spurs the university to further develop relevant, collaborative, and impactful research. Announced at National Chi Nan University (NCNU), Taiwan, on 7 May 2026, Unika Atma Jaya also entered the global top 100 in the Representative Research Project (C1) and Financial Impact-Driven Technology Transfer (C8) categories. WURI is a global ranking that highlights the role of higher education institutions in delivering real solutions and benefits for society and industry. Through assessments in education, research, technology, entrepreneurship, and social engagement, WURI evaluates university innovation capable of addressing global challenges. Yanti remarked that for Unika Atma Jaya, research does not end with journals and publications but must deliver social impact and generate sustainable innovation. The C1 category focuses on institution-specific long-term research encompassing the development process, transformation potential, and impact on sustainable development and social welfare. In this category, Unika Atma Jaya presented research on developing mixed tempe from sunflower seeds, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, and azuki beans to enhance cognitive function in the elderly. This research innovation was developed to produce tempe and probiotic products that are more practical and flexible to use, supporting elderly cognitive health without reducing nutritional benefits. In the C8 category, the university raised an innovation in biopreservative products and feed additives based on bacteriophages to control pathogens in large-scale food and aquaculture industries. The research exemplifies technology commercialisation that is not only oriented towards economic value but also provides social impact through safer and more sustainable food solutions. These various innovations have resulted in international scientific publications and patents. The research developed covers the benefits of tempe and probiotics for elderly cognitive function as well as pathogen control in food and aquaculture based on antibiofilm and bacteriophages. The research also yielded an Indonesian Simple Patent for multi-seed tempe based on soybeans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and azuki beans. Yanti expressed hope that the international recognition will encourage more cross-sector collaboration, whether with industry, government, or global partners. She concluded that this ensures the research they develop truly emerges as a real solution within society, serving not as a peak but as a launching point to continue innovating for a healthier, more empowered, and sustainable Indonesia.