Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology boosts international collaboration to accelerate research downstreaming

The partnership between Indonesia and Australia, two regional giants, excels in addressing the highly disruptive nature of modern technological developments. Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) is driving efforts for international collaboration to accelerate research downstreaming so that its benefits can be felt by Indonesian society. One such initiative is the collaboration between Indonesia and Australia to strengthen the knowledge ecosystem that directly impacts the societies of both countries. “The partnership between Indonesia and Australia, these two regional giants, excels in facing the highly disruptive nature of modern technological developments,” said Director General (Dirjen) of Research and Development (Risbang) at Kemdiktisaintek, Fauzan Adziman, at the Indonesia-Australia Science Management & Innovation Symposium 2026 in Jakarta on Tuesday. Dirjen Fauzan assessed that this collaboration is important for strengthening cross-institutional cooperation towards more transformative, collaborative, and relevant research to societal needs. Fauzan highlighted the importance of strengthening economic analysis and impact measurement in research and innovation programmes. “We want to delve deeper into economic analysis and impact measurement in our development research programmes. Without a strong understanding of impact measurement, driving innovation will not run optimally,” he said. Fauzan also emphasised the importance of connectivity between research and education to strengthen STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) initiatives, as well as multidisciplinary collaboration through the SHARE approach (Social Humanities, Art, Religious Studies, and Economics). It is known that the Indonesian Government is also promoting the development of mission-oriented research programmes to address national priorities. Several best practices from Australia, such as the Australia–India Green Steel Programme and Future Feed, serve as important references in developing research downstreaming and innovation in Indonesia. The Indonesian Government is now also preparing the Roadmap and National Strategic Research Agenda to synchronise research policies and funding in the future, which has currently entered the public consultation stage. That strategic document is being prepared to ensure that the direction of policies, funding, and national research priorities run in harmony towards inclusive and sustainable national interests.