BRIN Strengthens Transformation of Universities into National Solution Hubs
The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is focusing on encouraging and strengthening the transformation of the role of universities to become centres for solutions and innovations relevant to the needs of society and the industrial world.
Speaking in Makassar on Tuesday, the Head of BRIN, Arif Satria, emphasised the importance of transforming the role of higher education within the national innovation ecosystem. He noted that universities should not merely serve as educational institutions producing high-quality graduates, but must also act as epicentres for innovations that meet the demands of the public and industry.
To support this objective, BRIN is introducing various collaborative programmes, including research funding schemes, ‘Degree by Research’ initiatives, student research internships, Research Assistant roles, and international researcher and academic mobility programmes. “The transformation of universities is necessary; they must evolve from being merely teaching universities to research universities, and ultimately into innovation universities capable of producing real solutions for the needs of society, industry, and the government,” said Arif.
Overall, BRIN’s policy direction asserts that the future of Indonesian research depends heavily on the strength of multi-stakeholder collaboration, particularly between BRIN and universities. This synergy is expected to produce superior talent, accelerate the downstreaming of innovation, increase national competitiveness, and establish research and innovation as the primary foundation for Indonesia’s sustainable development.
The Rector of Hasanuddin University (Unhas), Prof. Dr Jamaluddin Jompa, stated that BRIN and Unhas share a strategic vision to utilise research as an impactful instrument for development. Various collaborations between Unhas and BRIN have already been established in strategic fields, ranging from archaeology, biodiversity, and maritime studies to health, material development, and biomass, all of which support the national green economy and bioeconomy agendas.
Similarly, the Rector of Universitas Muslim Indonesia (UMI), Prof. Dr Hambali Thalib, remarked that universities must be more than just places of learning; they must be centres for solutions. He explained that UMI does not wish to merely produce graduates with degrees, but rather to produce solutions. Therefore, the measure of a university’s success is not just the number of graduates, buildings, or publications, but the extent to which scientific knowledge can resolve societal issues.