VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has sought the assistance of state-owned and private companies to fund researches in addition to funds from the State Budget.

Researches must be conducted comprehensively and be pertinent to the industry requirements, Jokowi stated while chairing a limited cabinet meeting at the Presidential Office in Jakarta on Thursday.

The head of state emphasized the importance of the research process and downstreaming in a bid to produce superior products.

"Research funding should be adequate, so it would not be conducted halfheartedly. Hence, researches need funds not only derived from the state budget (APBN) but also sourced from state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and the private sector," he remarked.

He sought a research road map that adapted to a downstream concept. Hence, the road map should include the downstream aspects of research until the mass production stage.

Jokowi expressed hope that universities and scientists would conduct research based on concepts applicable to industries.

The president lauded research-based technology products produced so far, such as submarines made by shipbuilding company PT PAL in Surabaya and drones, catalysts, ship construction technology, and stem cell technology developed by the University of Indonesia (UI) and the Cipto Mangunkusumo Public Hospital, among others. (ANTARA)