The Important Role of Scholars

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Technological development and flourishing entrepreneurship are required for Indonesia to get out of the middle-income trap. An important pillar to achieve this is the presence of intellectuals.

Learning from the experiences of advanced countries, the mastery of technology and the flourishing of entrepreneurship have always led to leaps in countries’ prosperity, despite persistent problems. In such leaps, intellectuals play an important role as agents of change.

In his closing speech at the Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals Association’s (ICMI) national work gathering over the weekend, Vice President Jusuf Kalla urged intellectuals to make concrete moves to achieve public welfare. Scientists and entrepreneurs must be actively and concretely encouraged to produce work. Kalla noted that the nation’s problems would never be resolved through conferences without concrete follow-ups.

Technological mastery and entrepreneurship are two sides of a coin that support each other, as seen in advanced countries. Indonesia has many research papers, but, as everyone knows, many of these papers merely collect dust inside researchers’ drawers. Here, we require entrepreneurs who naturally dare to take risks and find opportunities.

There are bridges that have yet to be built that can turn technological development and innovation into economically beneficial activities that further public welfare. Consequently, we are now mostly consumers of technology.

Intellectuals can bridge these two interests. Intellectuals have a long history of dedicating their lives to developing science, giving directions and providing answers for the government and the public at large.

Unfortunately, communication between intellectuals, the government and the public at large remains ineffective. In the future, it is hoped that intellectuals, equipped with knowledge gained through studies and research based on valid data, can communicate more actively with policymakers and the media.

Kalla has named the challenges we must solve together, namely food security and the provision of affordable homes. These are government programs, but they have yet to achieve the intended goals.

There is an urgent need to synergize efforts amid global geopolitical and economic dynamics, the spread of hoaxes and the decrease of tolerance in some parts of society.

If intellectuals can help improve public welfare and resolve gaps, we may confidently advance to become a progressive and rich nation. The ICMI should not be trapped in

a religious box, as all religions inherently have the same goal, namely the establishment of a just, prosperous and happy society.

Editor:

the important role of scholars