Creative Economy Ministry Strengthens Higher Education Consortium to Drive Talent Downstreaming

The Ministry of Creative Economy is strengthening the role of the Creative Economy Higher Education Consortium (KPT Ekraf) as a driver for talent development and the downstreaming of creative innovation through the Creative Consortium Summit & Innovation Challenge (CCSIC) 2026, scheduled for September at Parahyangan Catholic University in Bandung. Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya stated that KPT Ekraf is a strategic partner for the government in implementing the 2026-2045 Creative Economy Master Plan (Rindekraf), particularly in strengthening research, education, innovation, and creative talent development across various regions. ‘KPT Ekraf needs to be strengthened so that research, education, innovation, and creative talent development align with the innovation agenda, including through the 2026 World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE). Thus, KPT Ekraf will become a strategic partner in national creative economy development,’ Riefky said in a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday. The Minister explained that KPT Ekraf programmes like CCSIC must not stop at research and intellectual property development but must be able to deliver their innovations towards commercialisation in the global market. The Ministry will drive the essential elements of transformation from the value chain of create, protect, and commercialise. He noted that universities play a crucial role in the downstreaming of campus research that can be commercialised into superior products or works, directly impacting national economic growth. ‘The interesting part is that innovations born from KPT Ekraf should not merely remain as scientific papers or intellectual property, but must be commercialised into superior products, develop into national brands, and expand globally. This is creative economy that generates added value,’ the Minister explained. KPT Ekraf is an association of universities focused on developing education, research, talent, and innovation in the creative economy, with 15 member universities. Initiated by the Ministry of Creative Economy in January 2025 at the University of Indonesia, KPT Ekraf is now a legal entity ready to support the development of a creative economy ecosystem based on public and private universities. Dewi Kartika Sari, Chairperson of KPT Ekraf and Head of the Master of Applied Creative Industry Programme at the University of Indonesia, said CCSIC 2026 will bring together academics, students, industry players, creative communities, and the government to formulate the direction of university-based creative economy development while curating creative innovations ready for commercialisation. The forum, scheduled for September, carries the theme ‘Creative Industries: Local Heroes to National Champions, Go Global’ and is part of the ‘Road To World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE) 2026’, providing a collaborative space to share the creative industry roadmap, particularly in the education sector. ‘Synergy is also expected through an innovation challenge or competition that can attract local talents to create brands that can be accelerated. We hope KPT Ekraf can continue to support the Ministry’s programmes to become more empowered,’ Dewi said.