Minister Urges Universities to Apply Research for Rural Solutions

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto,has urged universities to strengthen the application of research to address real-world challenges faced by communities. He made the statement while opening the 2026 Pertamina Independent Energy Village Festival in Jakarta on Thursday August 27.

He said supported villages could serve as platforms for universities to conduct research while implementing innovative solutions tailored to community needs. He emphasized that communities should be actively involved in the empowerment process so that programs can deliver sustainable benefits.

“Research should not stop in classrooms, laboratories, or scientific papers published in academic journals,” Brian said. He stressed the importance of ensuring that research findings can be further developed and applied to address challenges faced by surrounding communities.

The Minister encouraged universities to contribute through applied research, the development of appropriate technologies, and the involvement of lecturers and students. One approach is to develop thematic community service programs based on village needs, including issues related to energy, waste management, and water.

He also highlighted the importance of strengthening community capacity so that the technologies introduced can be used and maintained sustainably. Training and certification programs for village youth could help improve local communities’ ability to operate and maintain the technologies.

“Villages must be empowered together,” Brian stressed. He expressed hope that collaboration among universities, businesses, and communities would strengthen the implementation of research findings while supporting village self-reliance.

At the same event, PT Pertamina Deputy President Director, Oki Muraza, presented the development of the Independent Energy Village program, including an initiative on Sembur Island in the Riau Islands. The program utilizes solar energy to support local fishermen, including through the provision of an ice-making facility and cold storage to increase the added value of fishery products.

As of August 2026, Pertamina had implemented 269 Independent Energy Village programs and is targeting 332 programs by the end of the year. Oki expressed hope that partnerships with universities and local heroes would continue to expand, enabling research, technology, and innovation to be applied according to the needs and potential of each village.