inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Stella Christie, emphasized that research must be part of the development of Indonesian human resources and solutions to national challenges.

"Research is not a stand-alone activity. Research builds Indonesian human resources and improves their quality, which ultimately contributes to the welfare of the nation," said the Deputy Minister Stella on Monday (3/3/2025).

The government has launched a research funding program as part of an effort to realize the eight national development priorities or Astacita, which are stated in the 2025-2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN). She also emphasized the importance of innovation in science and technology, as often conveyed by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto.

Stella cited data from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2023 which showed that a 10 percent increase in research investment in the short term could increase Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 0.2 percent, while in the long term it could reach 0.9 percent.

"Every rupiah we invest in research will provide a return on investment that will have an impact on national economic growth," he said.

The government has set eight main areas as the focus of national research, including food, renewable energy, health, transportation, engineering, defense and security, maritime, and social, education, arts, and culture.

Even so, she emphasized that these areas are not compartmentalized. For example, the challenge of food security can be studied from various disciplines, including engineering and food technology.

Stella emphasized that quality research will have a direct impact on national economic growth. Therefore, the Deputy Minister of Education and Science and Technology invites all academics to contribute through research according to their expertise in order to build a more advanced Indonesia.

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