BRIN and Universities

By the end of 2019, the government, in this case the Research and Technology Ministry, must complete the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) organization.

This is as mandated by Presidential Decree No. 73/2019 and No. 74/2019 as the manifestation of Law No 11/2019. In addition to the existing issues on research organization governance (BPPT, LIPI, BIG, Lapan, Research and Technology Ministry, and others) and how their role is in the BRIN’s major theme, the key issues that must be resolved are the theme and direction of the research strategies of BRIN and universities.

Research is the spirit and vision of the universities. Therefore, many universities build a vision toward a research university. However, research is also a big mission of BRIN. How to arrange research within BRIN that will be managed by the Research and Technology Ministry so that it does not overlap?

This is important because BRIN will be a part of Indonesia\'s future gambling. The late BJ Habibie in various forums constantly reminded that to prepare for the challenges of the coming century, all countries must keep in mind what recent economic history has shown; that increasing wealth and prosperity is rooted in increasing productivity, and that the key to productivity is science and technology.

Therefore, our priority in developing science and technology must be based on human development as the main capital of science and technology activities.

The biggest obstacle in the development of science, research and technology is skilled scientific staff and researchers. Therefore, our priority in developing science and technology must be based on human development as the main capital of science and technology activities.

Integral thinking

When invited to deliver a speech at the UNS Anniversary (11 March 2018), I disclosed that the key was to strive for integration, both research carried out by BRIN and universities. According to the late Soedjatmoko (1991) and Martin (2009), integrative thinking is the ability to deal constructively, the possibility of a conflict between BRIN and universities, of opposing ideas and, not because of choosing one at the expense of another, but to produce creative resolution from collision in a new form. Ideas that contain elements of opposing ideas, but are superior to each of them.

Martin\'s view is very close to understanding innovation. Innovation is almost always born from the way of thinking to overcome real problems by understanding the burden or real situations. Innovation is the vision of the President, who when inaugurating the Indonesia Onward Cabinet said there is only one vision, the vision of the President, not the vision of BRIN and universities.

Another important spirit, both for BRIN and universities, must return to the thinking of Soedjatmoko (1991), who said that the need for knowledge relates to the following: learning to think globally, broadening moral horizons, accepting inherent complexity, living with moral order and living rationally, and finally learn to recognize the ethical dimension of the problems being worked on.

Soedjatmoko criticized that very few universities had organized themselves, to systematically deal with issues of human survival, development and welfare, and their relation to national problems.

When the knowledge is mastered by universities and BRIN, all must be dedicated to believing that entrepreneurship, knowledge, technology and innovation are absolute production function variables such as land, labor, and capital in the conventional economic paradigm. This is a revolution of thought in the meaning of research, both at BRIN and at universities.

Romer shows how economic power regulates the company\'s goals for generating new ideas and innovation.

The 2018 Nobel Laureate in Economics, Paul M Romer, integrates technological innovation into long-term macroeconomic analysis. He proved that knowledge can function as a long-term economic driver and innovation is the main driver of economic growth. Romer shows how economic power regulates the company\'s goals for generating new ideas and innovation.

A study shows that a dozen technologies, including genomics, energy storage and automation, will drive major economic and social transformation in the next few years. With a potential economic impact of between US$14 trillion and US$33 trillion per year by 2025, the value of emerging technologies can reach one third of global gross domestic product. Therefore, the research objects must be followed by commercialization of the research results of the universities. How?

At the 2018 World Economic Forum session, it was reported that there were four ways for the universities to direct innovation.

When a technology-driven economy occurs, universities must also change at an unusual pace. In addition to maintaining the main mission of educating the next generation and forming new cultures sourced from knowledge, universities must also continue to develop in encouraging innovation in economic development.

Facing digital challenges

Universities must meet the challenges of the digital revolution directly, and play an increasingly important role in the ecosystem and innovation economy in four major ways: fostering entrepreneurship, encouraging collaboration with the private sector, promoting diversity, and inclusion. In terms of technology transfer by universities, the best example is Cambridge University.

There are three types of technology transfers carried out by universities. The first is academic, which is the transfer of technology through a commercialization process to increase the chances of winning a research grant.

Second, related to investment, the technology transfer is done because they want to see their ideas benefit the community.

The technology transfer process, which is usually not a substantial source of income for universities and usually requires supports from the government or others, also takes up to a decade or more.

Third, entrepreneurship, starting a private company. The technology transfer process, which is usually not a substantial source of income for universities and usually requires supports from the government or others, also takes up to a decade or more.

The mainstay focus of technology includes (1) academic bio-medical research, (2) product research and development in small biotechnology companies in the UK and large pharmaceuticals in the US, (3) managing university researches for regional economic development, and (4 ) working with governments on global issues.

With this development scenario, "Cambridge Enterprise" has successfully signed 359 consulting contracts, 141 new technological inventions, 159 new patent applications, translational funding amounting to 6.5 million pounds, 13 companies that received new or continued investment, 123 signed licenses, which involve more than 1,458 researchers at all stages.

With the whole process of technology transfer and innovation, the university earns income from technology transfer of £27.7 million, distribution to academics, universities, etc. £22.5 million, costs (staff and other operating expenses) £3.3 million, investment in patent assets (patents and proof of concept) £1 million, charitable donations to universities £3.4 million, and £3.8 million invested in 13 start-up companies.

These highly technical data prove that the technology transfer process occurs complete with facts and data, not just theoretical.

So, how can universities\' role be maximized in the mission of community development to be prosperous? Higher education must be able to adapt and be responsive to changes.

Second, what is the big capital for future development? Human resources and innovation are the main capital of development after the utilization of natural resources continues to depreciate.

Universities must change at an unusual pace.

Research and knowledge can function as long-term economic drivers, with innovation as the main driver of economic growth. Finally, the universities are called by social responsibility and intellectual responsibility to give birth to thinkers, who with their minds are able to show the way and could move the community to build with a new vision, namely an innovation-based economy.

Universities must change at an unusual pace. Besides maintaining the primary mission of educating the next generation and forming new cultures sourced from knowledge, universities must continue to develop by more strongly encouraging innovation in economic development.

Kompas

Bambang Setiadi

Because freedom in the fields of research, teaching and education is the main basis in university life, the government and universities in their respective fields of competence must jointly guarantee and comply with each other. So BRIN and universities must encourage independence, especially related to local and national materials and products.

Bambang Setiadi, Chairman, National Research Council (DRN)