Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Urges Universities to Conduct Research Aligned with Regional Needs
The Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, has encouraged the academic community to continuously improve the quality of higher education while strengthening its contribution to society through research that meets regional needs.
Minister Brian urged universities to strengthen collaborations with local governments. One method to achieve this is by directing research and student final projects towards addressing real problems within these regions.
“We should arrange student final projects in such a way that they produce theses that discuss or resolve issues within local governments,” the Minister stated in a briefing in Jakarta on Monday.
According to Minister Brian, the connection between academic activities and regional development needs can make the knowledge produced by universities increasingly relevant. Universities can play a role through research and studies that support the resolution of various societal issues.
“We hope this is carried out continuously, in the sense of continuous improvement. The basic concept of accreditation is continuous improvement,” he said.
Brian noted that improving quality, collaborating with local governments, expanding access to education, and optimising alumni networks are expected to further strengthen the contribution of universities to society.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology continues to push for the improvement of higher education quality, the strengthening of the academic ecosystem, and the production of competent graduates capable of contributing to national development.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of expanding public access to higher education. One form of government support is the Indonesia Smart Card (KIP) Kuliah programme for students who meet the specified criteria.
He also expressed his appreciation to universities that have participated in accepting KIP Kuliah recipients.
“I always express my gratitude to the campuses that are willing to accept KIP Kuliah students,” the Minister added.