Grounded Science: Ukrida's Contribution to Innovation in Developing Nations
Every 16 September, the world commemorates the International Day of Science, Technology and Innovation for the South. Established by the United Nations through Resolution 7lar/259, this observance serves as a reminder that science, technology, and innovation must act as forces for sustainable development, particularly for developing nations.
For Indonesia, and for higher education institutions such as Ukrida, this momentum is more than just an opportunity to celebrate technological progress. It is a call to ensure that the knowledge generated on campus can address real-world problems in society. A nation’s progress should not be measured solely by the volume of technology used, but by its ability to create and develop solutions for its own needs.
Indonesia clearly demonstrates these challenges. Society’s life is increasingly intertwined with digital technology. The 2024 Indonesia Telecommunications Statistics note that approximately 68.65 per cent of the Indonesian population owns a mobile phone. However, households with or possessing computers have only reached 18.52 per cent. While technology is becoming more accessible, access to devices that support learning, working, creating, and developing technology is not yet fully equitable.
We have become users of various applications, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, medical devices, and digital services. However, the critical question remains: how much of this technology is born from Indonesian problems, developed by Indonesian researchers, produced by Indonesian industry, and creates value for Indonesian society?
In the 202 and5 Global Innovation Index, Indonesia ranks 55th out of 139 countries. This achievement is commendable, especially as Indonesia is a middle-income country showing progress in its innovation ecosystem. Nevertheless, this position serves as a reminder that the ability to generate and downstream innovation must continue to be strengthened.
Therefore, our challenge is not merely to expand technology usage, but to move from being users to being creators. This transition requires quality education, long-term research, the courage to take risks, funding, and collaboration between universities, government, industry, and the community.
Developing nations do not always need to pursue the most complex technologies. Many innovations needed by society stem from immediate needs: more affordable medical examination tools, easy-to-use flood warning systems, applications that assist small businesses, waste processing technology, or improvements in work processes that make public services faster.
In other words, innovation does not always have to be lofty. Innovation needs to be grounded.
Grounded science begins with a willingness to listen. What difficulties do patients face? What do healthcare workers need? Why do MSMEs struggle to use technology? Why are technically sound information systems not being utilised? Why do research results stop at reports and fail to become solutions?
Simple questions such as these can indeed be the starting point for valuable research.
Ukrida has a significant opportunity to play a part in this journey. Its primary strength lies not in a single field of study, but in the existence of disciplines that can be integrated to solve shared problems.
In the health and human services cluster, Ukrida offers Medicine, Medical Profession, Nursing, Nursing Profession, and an Applied Bachelor in Optometry. These fields can contribute through research on disease prevention, patient safety, occupational health, elderly care, health monitoring technology, and the expansion of healthcare access. Ukrida’s Applied Bachelor in Optometry programme, the first and currently the only one in Indonesia, holds a unique position to develop vision screening models and eye examination innovations that reach a wider population.
In the technology and intelligent systems cluster, Ukrida possesses Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Civil Engineering, Informatics, Information Systems, the Engineer Profession Programme, and a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence. The potential includes the development of smart devices, artificial intelligence, robotics, sustainable infrastructure, industrial process improvements, logistics systems, and secure, user-friendly digital services.
Meanwhile, Management and Accounting are essential to ensure that innovation is not only technically superior but also viable for implementation, possesses a sustainable financing model, and can grow. Psychology can assist in understanding user behaviour, societal acceptance of technology, mental health, and the impact of changing work patterns. English Literature is also vital for communicating science to the public and ensuring that technology respects language, culture, and human values.
Imagine a vision impairment screening programme designed through collaboration. Optometry and Medicine could develop the examination methods. Electrical Engineering could design portable devices. Informatics could build AI-based detection systems. Information Systems could integrate examination data. Industrial Engineering could organise effective and efficient service flows. Management and Accounting could design affordable financing models. Psychology would help understand the community’s willingness to use such services. English Literature would assist in literacy across various groups regarding the available services.
It is this kind of collaboration that brings science closer to life.