Mendiktisaintek emphasises the urgency of mastering technology for downstreaming

One fundamental aspect of natural resource wealth is that we must be able to utilise it to improve the welfare of the Indonesian nation. Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of Education, Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendiktisaintek) Brian Yuliarto emphasised the importance of mastering science and technology (iptek) in developing Indonesia from an extractive country into an advanced economy based on high-value-added industry. This was stated when Mendiktisaintek Brian opened the National Seminar and Convention of the Mining Engineering Expert Body (BK) of the Indonesian Engineers Association (PII) 2026 on Thursday (16/4). In a statement in Jakarta on Friday, Mendiktisaintek Brian explained that currently, the energy transition and the growth of electric transportation are more needed than before. Therefore, Indonesia’s resource strength must be driven to be transformed into technological, innovative, and industrial strength. “One fundamental thing about natural resource wealth is that we must be able to utilise it to improve the welfare of the Indonesian nation. From a resource perspective, Indonesia is the main player, but we need to prove that we can develop those resources with science,” said Mendiktisaintek. To avoid dependence on foreign technology, Mendiktisaintek emphasised the need to continuously develop Human Resources (SDM) so that there are always individuals who create, test, and develop innovations based on the country’s natural resources. Mendiktisaintek affirmed his commitment to strengthening the role of higher education, research, and innovation as the foundation for transforming the mining sector towards a high-value-added and sustainable industry. In agreement, the Chairman of the BK Mining Engineering PII, Rizal Kasli, mentioned the importance of improving the quality of education in mining engineering, as well as support for graduates to realise sustainable mining practices. “We must focus on the quality of education in mining engineering to absorb more mining student graduates into related jobs. For those who do not yet have practising engineer permits, we from the BK are intensively socialising this,” said Rizal Kasli.