SLEMAN - Higher education and industrial innovation cooperation has become a necessity at this time because it is important for Indonesia to support strong research and development. So far, there is still a wide gap, both of them are absorbed in their respective worlds.

"Innovations from higher education (prototypes) are often not ready to be applied by industry. Meanwhile, industry needs are not well informed to universities," explained Mohamad Irhas Effendi, the Chancellor of UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta (UPNVY) when signing a Memorandum of Understanding with PT Yogya Presisi Tehnikatama. Industry, Tuesday (10/11).

Irhas said that the continuity between the industrial world and the world of education must be maintained in order to produce superior Indonesian human resources.

"So far, the products produced by universities are solely for scientific contributions. In fact, research must move from upstream to downstream to support the industry," said Irhas.

The collaboration signed by Irhas between UPNVY and PT Yogya Presisi Tehnikatama Industri is expected to be able to support the policies of the Ministry of Education and Culture regarding the Independent Campus. The Independent Campus, explained Irhas, demands that the university resources are not only supported on campus. Lecturers and students are given the widest possible opportunity to explore scientific fields outside the campus, including in industry.

"Students can study outside the study program and do internships in industry. Likewise, lecturers can also work outside the campus," he said.

On the same occasion, the Director of PT Yogya Presisi Tehnikatama Industri, Petrus Tedja Hapsoro welcomed the cooperation. According to him, the synergy between universities and industry is needed to build an innovation ecosystem.

"We really need collaboration with universities, especially for research needs. The industry knows the needs of consumers, and universities will research from a scientific perspective," he explained.

At the end of the meeting the two parties agreed to implement the agreed points of the Memorandum of Understanding. The scope of the collaboration is education and field lectures, training, apprenticeship, and research. The period of cooperation will be implemented for five years.

At the event, a Cooperation Agreement was also signed with the Faculty of Industrial Engineering UPNVY which was signed directly by the Dean, Dr. Mahreni. (wwj /