Stella Christie: It is time for Jakarta to rely on science and technology
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Stella Christie, stated that it is time for Jakarta to rely on science and technology in urban development to improve the comfort and security of its citizens.
“As Mr Pramono mentioned earlier, the first point is that it is time for us to build Jakarta with science and technology. That is why we are here, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, to involve not just the ministry, but all actors in science and technology,” Stella said at the Jakarta Urban Knowledge Hub, South Jakarta, on Monday.
According to her, developing Jakarta based on science and technology requires the involvement of various parties, ranging from lecturers, researchers, and students to industry, local government, central government, and the community. She noted that all these efforts are ultimately aimed at the public, ensuring Jakarta becomes a city underpinned by science and technology to support the comfort and security of its residents.
Furthermore, she assessed that Jakarta has the opportunity to grow not only as a national centre but also as an international hub through the strengthening of higher education and research. “We have conducted several mappings; it is very possible for Jakarta to become an International Talent Hub,” Stella remarked.
She added that current global geopolitical conditions could present an opportunity for Indonesia to attract academics from various countries wishing to pursue higher education or conduct research. To achieve this, collaboration between the central and local governments in the development of research and higher education is essential.
Moreover, Stella revealed that various data indicate cities with high-quality universities and research generally possess better levels of economic welfare. Therefore, she stated that the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, together with the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta, is preparing several concrete steps to strengthen the role of research and higher education in regional development.
“We have many things currently in progress with the Governor for concrete steps. So, it is not just a slogan, but a real step to ensure a paradigm shift where research and higher education can also be part of local government alongside the central government, not just within the central government,” Stella concluded.