UNS — Institute of Research and Community Service (LPPM) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held socialization on Matching Fund Grant Program and Kedai Reka Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemdikbud) RI through Zoom Cloud Meeting, Saturday (16/1/2021).
The socialization was held to inform researchers and faculty members in UNS in preparing their research proposal, service, product, and innovation to collaborate with Dunia Usaha dan Dunia Industri (DUDI) (Business and Industrial Field) through Kedai Reka. The socialization was opened by the Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, who reminded the participants that UNS status as a Public University with Legal Entity (PTN BH) should motivate faculty members and researchers to realize the 8 Key Performance Indicators (IKU) set by Kemdikbud RI. One of the indicators is involving DUDI in university activities. “I think this evening event is a tool for us to achieve IKU,” Prof. Jamal stated.
In discussing the key points as the fundamental of collaboration between higher education and DUDI through Kedai Reka, LPPM UNS invited the Engineering Acceleration Team, who is also the Senior Manager of SuSo Unilever, Achmad Aditya.
In his presentation, Achmad Aditya explained that Kedai Reka program is an implementation of Kampus Merdeka Program promoted by Nadiem Makarim. This program covers 4 policies: the flexibility to open new study programs, higher education accreditation system, PTN BH, and three semesters right for learning outside student’s program. Achmad Aditya also mentioned that the Ministry had expanded the definition of the industry from only private industry to include the MSME, Cooperative, State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN), Local Government Enterprise (BUMD), start-up, and Village Government Enterprise (BUMDes). “The Directorate General (red: Prof. Nizam) also expanded the industry label to include ministerial, the provincial government, municipal government, and district government,” he added.
Regarding 8 IKU determined by Kemdikbud RI, he stated that higher education could take 3 significant opportunities in collaborating with DUDI. First, more market-driven research, which means research will have a more specific benefit orientation based on community needs. Second, practical acceleration of science from higher education for business and workplace. Lastly, acceleration of research products downstream from higher education.
“The target is the improvement of human resource quality because, as we all know, many higher education graduates require an adjustment period before entering DUDI. We want to reduce this adjustment period,” Achmad Aditya stated.
He also added that matching fund provided for faculty members and student, matching fund grant, and research laboratory in Kedai Reka is IDR 250 billion. This program covers joint research, providing services for industry and/or the community, start-up establishment, and research center establishment (industry teaching).
“In principle, the industry offers business problem or engineering opportunity through Kedai Reka as a meeting point between DUDI and higher education,” Achmad Aditya concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Yefta Christopherus AS
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
