January 15, 2026 | 11:01 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has called on universities to strengthen their research and innovation activities. The goal is to develop a national industry that can increase the country's income.
Prabowo conveyed this message to the professors and university leaders in a closed-door forum at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Prabowo invited around 1,200 academicians to the meeting.
Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto said that Prabowo sees research and innovation as the foundation of development. "The President has requested research and innovation to build industries and increase the country's income," Brian said after the forum on Thursday.
Brian stated that Prabowo compared the current efforts in research and innovation to the struggle of the heroes of independence. According to Brian, Prabowo believes that in the past, the status of heroes was for people who fought against colonialism.
According to Brian, Prabowo considers the same status can also be attributed to innovators. "Currently, these heroes are the people who can innovate, make breakthroughs to increase the country's income," he said.
Brian mentioned that research and technological development should be aligned with the industries that the nation needs. Therefore, Prabowo hopes that professors and university leaders can become national heroes through breakthrough discoveries in research and innovation-based industries.
During the meeting, Prabowo also discussed the 18 industrial downstream projects that the Danantara Investment Management Agency will soon launch. Brian said these projects require excellent human resources, as well as research and innovation from universities.
Brian added, Prabowo sees this as an opportunity for universities to become more involved in development. "This is the time for universities to contribute to the country by producing excellent human resources, as well as research and innovation," Brian said.
Cecep Darmawan, a Professor of Political Science at the Indonesian University of Education (UPI) who attended the meeting, revealed the discussions with President Prabowo. Cecep described the meeting with the head of state, which took place from 09:00-12:00 local time. Over the course of three hours, Prabowo discussed various issues related to the future challenges and opportunities facing Indonesia.
Prabowo then asked universities and academics to help the government change the way the nation thinks. "So we are asked to act optimistically in changing the mindset about Indonesia," said Cecep to Tempo.
During the gathering, Prabowo showcased the government's success in seizing hundreds of trillions of rupiah and 4 million hectares of land from businessmen who were running illegal palm oil plantations. He then promised that some of the confiscated funds would support educational programs. "Specifically, your research funds will be increased," he said.
Dede Leni Mardianti contributed to this article
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