KSTI 2026 Symposium Discusses University-Industry Synergy for National Downstreaming

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) held a national symposium, the 2026 Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI), as a forum to strengthen the role of higher education in supporting the downstreaming and national development agenda on Saturday (27/6). During a session on downstreaming strategy and strengthening national industry for Indonesia’s economic added value, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming and Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Rosan Roeslani, stressed that downstreaming is not solely aimed at increasing investment. More than that, downstreaming must create added value, strengthen national industry, open up employment opportunities, and provide tangible benefits to the community. “The investment we hope for is quality investment, investment that can create added value, and also strengthen our human resources,” said Minister Rosan. The BKPM Head also noted that throughout 2025, investment realisation in the downstreaming sector reached Rp584.1 trillion, or approximately 30.2% of total national investment. This figure represents an increase from the previous year. Downstreaming investment has largely relied on the mineral sector, particularly nickel. However, the government is now encouraging downstreaming in other sectors, such as agriculture, plantations, marine, and fisheries. Minister Rosan explained that expanding downstreaming into these sectors is important because they can absorb more workers. While investment in agriculture and plantations may not be as large as in the mineral sector, its impact on job creation can be much broader. Therefore, downstreaming must be directed not only at increasing economic value but also at strengthening public welfare. In his presentation, the BKPM Head also highlighted the success of nickel downstreaming. Before the downstreaming policy was strengthened, the export value of Indonesian raw nickel was around US$3.3 billion. After downstreaming was implemented, the export value of nickel products and their derivatives increased to around US$33.9 billion. He stated that this demonstrates how domestic processing of resources can provide far greater added value to the national economy. Minister Rosan emphasised that the success of downstreaming also depends on innovation, technology, and the quality of human resources. Therefore, universities have a crucial role in producing research and innovation that can be utilised by the industrial world. “How can you in higher education contribute by presenting new innovations and new technologies so that we become more efficient and more productive with the products we have,” said Minister Rosan. He also noted that many research results from universities have not yet been utilised by industry. In fact, campus research can be a significant force for increasing productivity, efficiency, and the industry’s ability to keep pace with technological developments. Economic independence cannot be built sectorally, but must be achieved through interconnected fields, ranging from the economy, food, energy, industry, marine, to education. This forum is therefore needed to gather data-based and scientific input to support more integrated policymaking, as stated by Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto at the opening of the KSTI National Symposium on Friday (26/6). Through the KSTI 2026 National Symposium, Kemdiktisaintek is encouraging university research to be more closely linked to industrial needs. This collaboration is expected to accelerate downstreaming, enhance the competitiveness of national industry, open more job opportunities, and provide greater benefits for economic growth and public welfare.