Kemdiktisaintek allots Rp1.47 trillion for community service program

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) has allocated a budget of Rp1.47 trillion to support the implementation of research and community service programs conducted by universities.

This initiative is a crucial part of the national strategy to realize the Asta Cita vision of the President and Vice President of Indonesia and to accelerate progress toward the Golden Indonesia 2045 goal.

“We expect researchers not only to rely on grant funds but also to proactively establish partnerships with local governments, industry players, international partners, and State Legal Entity Universities (PTNBH). With broader synergy, our research will advance further, remain relevant, and create real impact,” Kemdiktisaintek Minister Brian Yuliarto noted in a statement from Jakarta on Friday.

The minister emphasized that this funding serves as an initial stimulus to encourage ongoing collaboration and innovation.

He explained that increasing participation and quality are key focuses of this year’s program implementation, with over 50 thousand research proposals and nearly 10 thousand community service proposals submitted through the Research and Community Service Information System (Bima) platform.

Of these submissions, 16,460 research proposals from 1,503 universities secured funding amounting to Rp1.285 trillion. Meanwhile, 4,126 community service proposals from 867 universities were funded with Rp185.478 billion, distributed across 38 provinces.

In relation to this, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie stated that the upward trend reflects a healthy competitive spirit among the academic community.

She also emphasized that research outcomes must align with national priorities set by President Prabowo Subianto, including food security, energy, water, and industrial downstreaming.

“Research is not just about publication numbers, but a strategic strength of the nation. There will be no economic growth without technological innovation,” Christie stressed.

As part of strengthening a solution-oriented higher education ecosystem, Kemdiktisaintek is also developing strategic programs such as the Kosabangsa Program and the Impactful Student Program.

The Kosabangsa Program serves as a partnership platform between universities and communities in underdeveloped, disaster-prone, and extreme poverty areas. Meanwhile, the Impactful Student Program encourages meaningful student contributions, especially from student executive bodies (BEM), to address grassroots social issues.

Kemdiktisaintek continues to strengthen synergy with the Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP) to support the development of sustainable flagship research. This collaboration serves as a strategic bridge between science, public policy, and societal welfare.

Through an inclusive, measurable, and solution-oriented approach, Kemdiktisaintek affirmed that research and community service are not merely academic obligations but the driving force behind national transformation.