Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Urges ITS to Accelerate Downstreaming of Innovations
Surabaya (ANTARA) - The Director General of Research and Development at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek), Mohammad Fauzan Adziman, has urged the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) in Surabaya to accelerate the downstreaming of various innovation products to address national energy and transportation challenges.
During his visit to the ITS Science Techno Park (STP) in Surabaya on Thursday, Fauzan directed that ITS innovations be quickly released to the industrial market and the wider public, including plasma stoves and electric motorcycles.
The plasma stove innovation by ITS researchers utilises filament technology that generates heat energy resembling fire.
“Its impact would allow energy subsidies to be redirected to other more productive development sectors,” said Fauzan.
According to Fauzan, innovation should not stop at technological sophistication but must also consider non-technical aspects to enable widespread application in society.
“It is important for a researcher not to proceed alone, as aspects such as financing models, understanding consumer behaviour, and readiness for large-scale manufacturing must also be considered,” he stated.
“An interdisciplinary consortium is needed, ranging from electronics and physics engineering to economics and law, to guide regulations and product downstreaming,” he added.
Meanwhile, ITS Vice Rector IV for Research, Innovation, Collaboration, and Alumni Affairs, Agus Muhamad Hatta, stated that the presence of the ministry and investment institutions is believed to accelerate the commercialisation process of campus research outcomes.
“The involvement of ministry parties and investment institutions such as Danantara is expected to bridge the gap between research prototypes and commercial products,” said Hatta.
ITS is also continuing to develop the national electric vehicle ecosystem, from electric motorcycles and cars to electric buses, including programmes to convert fossil fuel vehicles to electric ones.