by Siti Ruhanawati
Linked to the above high-level forum, the Indonesian Young Academy of Science (ALMI) and the Executive Office of the President (KSP) conducted a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on “Revitalization of Governance in Higher Education and Research” on April 27, 2017. The FGD involved more than 40 participants from key ministries, AIPI, ALMI, management of Indonesia’s top ten university, and the Alliance for Policy Research (ARK-Indonesia). The purposes of the FGD was to map issues of governance in higher education and research, particularly regarding issue on human resources, research infrastructure and funding, and to initiate the establishment of cooperation between ALMI, KSP and related ministries and other stakeholders.
Universities are major producers of knowledge, science, technology and innovation through scientific and research activities. However, the development of science and technology in Indonesia does not contribute significantly to increase the competiveness of Indonesia in the global economy. ALMI is encouraging the development of higher education, of scientific culture, and the use of science in formulating public policy. Alan Koropitan from ALMI’s working group on Science and Policy presented ALMI’s position paper on the governance of human resources in higher education and research, the importance of research universities, linkage between research and industry, and redefinition of the three functions of universities (Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi).
The participants agreed to follow up the discussion through establishing a task force, with a triple track focus: reforms of the regulatory framework, establishing a forum to discuss on the issue on regular basis, and piloting. ALMI’s chair Prof. Jamaluddin Jompa from Hasanudin Unversity to initiate the task force with cross-agencies under facilitation of KSP. ALMI will draft timeline until December 2017 and ALMI will meet AIPI to sharpen the action plan soon.
