Jakarta – The development of the Science and Technology Area or Science Techno Park (STP) is one of the strategic steps in encouraging the downstreaming of research and technology results into the industrialization process. To support the development of STP in Indonesia, the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research and Technology (Ditjen Diktiristek) of the Ministry of Education and Culture launched Promoting Research and Innovation through Modern and Efficient Science and Technology Parks Project (PRIME STeP) 2023-2027, on Monday (27/2).

PRIME STeP is an STP development project at 4 Legal Entity State Universities (PTN BH), namely the Bogor Agricultural Institute, Bandung Institute of Technology, Gadjah Mada University, and the University of Indonesia. ADB Project No. 4272-INO is supported by Foreign Grant Loans (PHLN) from the Asian Development Bank amounting to 20.487 million yen, or around 2.167 trillion rupiah. The project will be implemented over a period of 5 years or 60 months, starting in January 2023 until the end of December 2027.

Plt. Director General of Higher Education, Research and Technology Nizam said that the Asian Development Bank's support will help Indonesia realize the dream of having a superior STP, which can produce a variety of competitive innovations and technologies. Ultimately the development of STP will support the implementation of an innovation and technology-based national economy, as stated in the 2020-2024 RPJMN Major Project.

"I hope that universities that have received the mandate in this project can be disciplined in terms of quality, time and integrity so that they are able to achieve the intended output. I also emphasize the great hope that PTNs are given the mandate and responsibility to be able to collaborate with other tertiary institutions so that the impact and benefits of this STP can be felt by various parties and the community," said Nizam.

The Institutional Director of the Directorate General of Higher Education and Technology, Lukman said that the PRIME STeP collaboration project did not only have an impact on the education ecosystem, but produced a broad impact so that it would have a direct impact on Indonesia's industrial and economic development in the future.

"Through the PRIME STeP project, Indonesian tertiary institutions are expected to be able to create successful startups, generate income from paid services of successful startup companies as well as patents and licenses, as well as open jobs created by startups," explained Lukman.

In addition, according to Lukman at the same time, STP will provide benefits for students as a place to carry out various research and development, as well as develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem.

PRIME STeP Project Manager, Paulina Pannen explained that this project was focused on three things: improving research, development and innovation facilities; improvement of innovation systems and strategic research and development partnerships; as well as institutional strengthening of STP in each PTN BH and at the center. "STP is not just a place or building, but a concept for all parties to meet in industrial development and downstreaming," concluded Paulina.

Country Director of Indonesia Resident Mission Asian Development Bank, Jiro Tominaga also appreciates the collaboration in this PRIME STeP project. Jiro is optimistic that this project will be able to bring progress to Indonesia in the future. "We also appreciate the opportunity to collaborate on projects developed through PRIME STeP in presenting human quality advancements through education, as well as synergized innovation and technology in Indonesia going forward," said Jiro.