"This downstreaming of innovation is expected to enable local governments to become off-takers of innovations produced by universities. This way, research results won't remain academic reports but can be implemented into innovations that provide real benefits to the community," Yusharto said in the BSKDN video conference room.
This was conveyed by Yusharto in his presentation at the "Evaluation and Strengthening of Regional Innovation in Surakarta City" activity.
According to him, Surakarta has great potential because it is supported by the existence of universities, one of which is Sebelas Maret University (UNS) and various research institutions that consistently produce quality studies and research.
He explained that synergy between regional government agencies and universities needs to be strengthened so that research results can be adopted as solutions to various public service problems.
Each faculty and research center at a university, he continued, has the potential to collaborate with regional government agencies (OPD) in accordance with the government affairs they handle.
He also highlighted the challenge of relatively limited national innovation funding. Currently, Indonesia's research budget is recorded at around 0.24 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
However, President Prabowo Subianto's commitment to increasing the research and innovation budget is considered an important momentum to drive the quality and sustainability of innovation going forward.
In addition to funding and downstreaming, fostering innovation is also a priority. Yusharto expressed his appreciation for the steps taken by the City of Surakarta, such as innovation competitions, incentives, and various forms of strengthening the innovation ecosystem that encourage the involvement of all stakeholders.
