East Java Deputy Governor Pushes for Commercialisation of 38 Student Innovations
Surabaya (ANTARA) - East Java Deputy Governor Emil Elestianto Dardak has encouraged 38 appropriate technology innovations produced through the 2026 Community Service Programme (KKN) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya (UMSURA) to be developed into ready-to-use products with economic value for the community.
“Balai Pemuda is one of the activity centres popular with residents. It is a very appropriate venue to present the students’ works directly to the public,” said Emil while attending the UMSURA KKN expo at Balai Pemuda Surabaya on Tuesday.
According to Emil, student work must not stop at the prototype stage. He assessed that the process of transforming research results into ready-to-use and ready-to-sell products is indeed not easy, but must be continuously pursued so that university innovations deliver real impact.
Emil appreciated the achievements of Umsura students who produced 38 innovative works. Of that number, 11 works have obtained simple copyright recognition, while 26 other products are in the process of patent application.
“Of the 38, 11 have already achieved simple copyright recognition. That is an achievement. Then the other 26 are in the process of obtaining patents. So this is a process that must indeed be followed up with patents,” he said.
He expressed hope that the East Java Provincial Government, the Surabaya City Government, and Umsura can oversee the development of these products until they have the opportunity to enter the government procurement ecosystem through the e-catalogue.
Emil stressed that the success of appropriate technology is measured by its utilisation by the community, not merely as research results stored on campus.
“We are no longer talking about discourse or rhetoric. What is the concrete form? That is why the term appropriate technology is used. It must be usable,” he said.
Meanwhile, Head of the Institute for Research, Innovation, and Community Service (LRIPM) of Umsura Dr. Arin Setiyowati said the 2026 KKN involved 1,292 students spread across Surabaya, Gresik, Pasuruan, Kediri, Nganjuk, and Probolinggo. A total of 48 groups produced 38 appropriate technology innovation products.
Meanwhile, Umsura Rector Prof. Dr. Mundakir appreciated the works and innovations produced by students during the KKN implementation.
According to him, these achievements could not be separated from the guidance of supervising lecturers while students carried out community service in the field.
He said the KKN activity is also part of Umsura’s efforts to implement the policy of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek), which encourages universities to become institutions that have an impact on society.
“The existence of universities, including our campus, continues to innovate to become impactful campuses, to produce intellectual individuals who have a direct impact on society,” he said.
Mundakir stressed that this role is carried out through the involvement of lecturers as supervisors and students who spent approximately one month working directly in various regions.