Universitas Gadjah Mada held the Global Innovation & Future Technology Summit (GIFTS) 2025 at the Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas (GIK) UGM (04/12).

The second-year event showcased sustainable technology innovations from 43 industry partners and startups under the theme “Sustainable Technology for Future Earth.”

Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko, UGM Vice Rector for Research, Business Development, and Collaboration, said GIFTS is a strategic forum to connect with global innovation partners and to encourage research and technology development with broad, responsible, and sustainable impact.

“This activity is part of the agenda Promoting Research and Innovation through Major and Decent Science and Technology Project, to strengthen science and technology capacity in several PKNBH, including UGM,” he said.

Danang emphasized the importance of government support for adopting innovations produced by researchers and startups, and he appreciated the 43 partners involved in collaborating through the Innovative Academy program.

“With the theme we carry, we hope to strengthen UGM’s innovation ecosystem as a catalyst for innovations and startups that deliver economic and social impact for society,” he added.

GIFTS 2025 featured two plenary sessions, two panel sessions, an innovation exhibition displaying products, prototypes, and services from startups, companies, and university research teams, as well as several workshops.

Officials Address Barriers in Indonesia’s Innovation Landscape

Oki Earlivan Sampurno, Special Staff for Industry and International Cooperation at Kemdiktisaintek, highlighted persistent challenges in Indonesia’s research and innovation ecosystem.

He explained that despite two decades of discussion about technology, innovation, and sustainability, many research outputs remain stuck and do not become real innovations.

“Indonesia has natural resources, human resources, and extraordinary innovators, but not all research can grow because there is a difference in lingua franca between academics and industry. This causes research investment to often not lead to innovation or products that can be scaled up,” Oki said.

He noted that strong opportunities exist in laboratory-scale innovations developed by academics, which could become startups and industrial products with proper funding and collaboration.

According to him, GIFTS 2025 offers a strategic space for MSMEs, industry, investors, media, and students to build collective technology that responds to industrial needs, investor demands, and societal problems.

Plenary Sessions Explore Policy, Industry, and Academic Synergy

The first plenary session featured speakers from government, academia, and the creative technology sector, discussing “Exploring Government Policy Insights: Designing a Sustainable Future Through Technology.”

During the session, Oki stated, “Publications and research are certainly important on campus, but what we really want to push is a change in mindset. So, from merely academic impact, it can generate social impact and economic impact.”

The second plenary session examined how industry and universities can align innovation, research, and talent development to face future global challenges.

Salman Subakat, CEO of Paragon and Innovation, said UGM has strong resources and talented students able to support innovation.

“Innovation is born from the spirit and courage to push boundaries, to produce something different,” he said.

UGM Strengthens Innovation Ecosystem Through Strategic Partnerships

GIFTS 2025 also included the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and the awarding of recognitions between UGM and nine venture capital firms, five associations, and 29 government and industry partners committed to supporting UGM’s innovation and startup ecosystem.

The signing marked the official synergy between UGM Science Techno Park and GIK as an “Ecosystem Builder for Innovation, Startup, and Venture.”

This launch is expected to serve as a catalyst for a more integrated and competitive platform that supports the development of new initiatives within the national innovation ecosystem.

PHOTO: UGM

This article was created with AI assistance.