Time for Higher Education to Be Measured by Its Benefits to Society

For some time, the success of higher education has been measured by research productivity, international publications, citations, and global rankings. While these academic achievements remain important, they are no longer sufficient. Society increasingly asks a fundamental question: what are the real-world benefits of all this research?

This question does not reflect doubt about the importance of science, but rather a hope that knowledge will not stop in laboratories, seminar rooms, or scientific journals. It must become a solution that people can feel. A scientific article that ends as a publication does not necessarily change lives. A patent stored without downstream application does not strengthen industry. An innovation never implemented does not solve the nation’s problems.

The essence of knowledge is not merely discovering something new, but providing benefits. When research increases farmers’ productivity, delivers better health services, creates environmentally friendly technology, or opens new jobs, science achieves its highest purpose. Therefore, research must evolve from producing knowledge to generating applied research, birthing innovation, and creating tangible solutions that bring real change to society. This is what global discussions increasingly refer to as real-world impact.

Higher education institutions of the future must not only be centres of knowledge development but also hubs for solving societal problems. This requires research to be designed from the outset with real needs in mind. Collaboration with government, business, industry, communities, and the public must become part of academic culture. A successful research project should be measured not just when an article is published, but when its results are adopted, utilised, replicated, and improve the quality of life.

This culture must be strengthened within Indonesian universities. Research cannot stop as an academic achievement; it must become a force for national development. While indicators like publications, citations, patents, and accreditation remain necessary, society is increasingly focused on outcomes and impact. They want to know if research has produced technology used by industry, helped businesses increase productivity, improved public services, reduced environmental pollution, or enhanced public welfare.

This shift in perspective demands a higher education system that is more impact-oriented. Universities must maintain academic quality while proving their social relevance. Ultimately, universities bear a moral responsibility to help build civilisation. Amid complex global challenges, society needs universities that not only explain problems but also provide solutions. It is time to view the success of higher education more holistically, not just by the number of articles published or ranking positions, but by the magnitude of the benefits delivered to the nation.