The Indonesian government has emphasized the necessity for scientific research to align with national needs during a press conference held in Jakarta. The Deputy Head of the Human Development and Culture Division at the National Planning and Development Agency, Bungkas Bahjuri Ali, stated that the greatest challenge is not the availability of research but its connection to public policies.
Bungkas pointed out that research should be designed based on pressing national issues, making it effective when implemented in public policies. He added that science must serve as a compass in the development process.
Event Details
During the conference discussing cooperation between Australia and Indonesia in the fields of research and innovation, Bungkas highlighted the importance of effective communication between researchers and the government. He explained that there are three main challenges that must be overcome to ensure the integration of research into policies: first, the necessity for research results to be relevant; second, the government must be willing to utilize these results; and third, there must be an effective mechanism to translate research into applicable policies.
He also stressed the importance of adopting an evidence-based approach in development planning, where research results should be able to answer political questions in a timely manner.
Background & Context
Historically, Indonesia has faced significant challenges in linking scientific research to public policies. Over the years, there have been numerous attempts to enhance cooperation between universities and the industrial sector, but the outcomes have often been unsatisfactory. However, the current government is striving to change this trend by promoting partnerships between the public and private sectors.
In recent years, several programs have been launched aimed at enhancing collaboration between universities and industries, such as the