The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) officially launched the Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI) 2025 on August 7–9 at Sasana Budaya Ganesa, ITB, Bandung.

As part of the strategic roadmap toward "Indonesia Emas 2045", the event aims to strengthen the national industrial foundation through science, research, and technological innovation.

Under the theme “Science and Technology for Economic Growth and Equity,” KSTI 2025 acts as a collaborative forum for academia, industry, government, media, and the public to accelerate Indonesia’s shift to a high-value-added economy.

KSTI 2025 Highlights: Eight Strategic Sectors for Transformation

The convention centers on drafting an industrial transformation roadmap and boosting synergy across sectors.

A key agenda item includes discussions and proposals focused on research and innovation across eight strategic industries:

• Energy
• Defense
• Digitalization (AI and semiconductors)
• Downstream processing and industrialization
• Health
• Food
• Maritime
• Advanced materials and manufacturing

These sectors are chosen to reflect Indonesia’s long-term goal of becoming a knowledge-based economy with strong global competitiveness.

The initiative aligns with President Prabowo's Asta Cita, which emphasizes economic self-reliance, social sustainability, and technological innovation.

Presidential Vision: 8% Growth Driven by Technology and Human Capital

President Prabowo Subianto has set an ambitious national growth target of 8% over the next five years.

This is to be achieved through a national industrial strategy focused on downstream processing, technology mastery, and human capital development.

His vision is rooted in the fourth and fifth pillars of Asta Cita:

“Strengthening human resource development, science, technology, education, health, gender equality, and inclusion,” and

“Continuing industrial downstreaming to enhance domestic value creation.”

Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, emphasized the urgency of strengthening technological capacity and national talent as the foundation for an innovation-led economy.

With abundant strategic natural resources, he said, “Indonesia has enormous potential to leapfrog into a high-value industrial economy.”

Global Thought Leaders Join Forces at KSTI 2025

KSTI 2025 welcomes thousands of participants, including scientists, technocrats, industry leaders, policymakers, and international partners.

Distinguished speakers include four world-renowned physicists:

• Sir Konstantin Novoselov, Nobel Laureate in Physics 2010 for his research on graphene
• Prof. Brian Paul Schmidt, Nobel Laureate in Physics 2011 for discovering the accelerating expansion of the universe
• Prof. Chennupati Jagadish, President of the Australian Academy of Sciences, known for his work in optoelectronics and nanotechnology
• Prof. Lam Khin Yong, Vice President of Industry at Nanyang Technological University, expert in computational mechanics and nanoscience

These speakers are expected to contribute insights into scientific innovation and global industrial trends.

Innovation Exhibits and Policy Forums Bridge Research and Industry

The event also features a technology innovation exhibition, cross-sector discussions, and a national research-industry policy forum.

Thousands of leading Indonesian STEM scientists are expected to take part in panel discussions aligned with each of the eight strategic sectors.

Through KSTI 2025, the government aims to integrate higher education policy with industrial development and research, cultivating world-class human resources while enhancing Indonesia’s economic competitiveness on the global stage.

PHOTO: FREEPIK

This article was created with AI assistance.