Science and Technology for Sustainability of the Nation
In the midst of the lack of news about the commemoration of National Technology Day, a statement by Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister reminded of the importance of having a national policy on mastering science, technology and innovation.
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We recently commemorated the 23rd National Technology Day with the determination to improve the mastery of science and technology and encourage innovation in the era of Industrial 4.0.
In the midst of the lack of news about the commemoration of National Technology Day on Aug. 10, a statement by Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Mohamad Nasir reminded of the importance of having a national policy on mastering science, technology and innovation.
We have always been reminded since the 1970s about the importance of the role of research and mastery of science and technology for the sustainability of a nation and quality economic growth. The wealth of land and water and Indonesia\'s geographical location on the equator are often referred to as priceless gifts.
It has proven that all natural wealth is not enough to bring Indonesia to become a part of the group of developed countries. We are still a middle-income country. Even, if we continue to depend on commodities and natural wealth without developing science and technology and research to get added value, Indonesia has the potential to be trapped to be included in the middle-income country category.
The low attention is seen from the small portion of the investment that is spent, namely only 0.1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) or equivalent to US$2 billion. Data from UNESCO in 2018 shows Indonesia is one of the countries with the lowest science and technology investment, below Vietnam (0.4 percent) and Thailand (0.5 percent). The data also shows the lack of researchers in Indonesia, namely only 89 researchers per 1 million population.
South Korea, one of the richest countries in the world with the best mastery of science and technology, but in the 1970s its economic condition was similar to Indonesia, allocates 4.3 percent of GDP or around US$73 billion for the development of science and technology. About 78 percent of the funds comes from the business world.
Many circles think that the development of science and technology is very expensive and we are not ready to fund the development. Therefore, a national policy regarding national science and technology development is needed. We should have a guideline for research and science and technology development policy in the form of a law to strengthen Presidential Regulation No. 38/2018 on the National Research Master Plan, which becomes a research roadmap until 2045.
The national policy on science and technology development must state clearly that the development of science and technology is adapted to natural, human, and national financial capital.
The policy also ensures that the development of science and technology, research, and innovation does not forget the common people, but must be utilized and enjoyed by all levels of society to prevent the widening gap in prosperity as happened in Silicon Valley, USA.
Therefore, we need the government to create a climate that encourages businesses to develop science and technology, research and innovation, but at the same time also provide funds for the development of science and technology, which can be accessed and utilized by all people.