Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Higher Education, Science, and Technology Ministry is urging stronger university and research roles in industrial transformation, stressing that science and technology must align with market needs to accelerate sustainable growth and escape the middle-income trap. Minister Brian Yuliarto said Thursday that Indonesia must pursue “non-linear progress” by advancing science- and technology-based industries. “Industrialization must not merely proceed as usual, as its potential can grow exponentially,” he noted. He highlighted the “valley of death” challenge—the gap between university research and industrial commercialization—where many innovations fail to reach the market.Yuliarto emphasized that economic assessments should be integrated early in downstreaming discussions. Bank Indonesia Deputy Governor Aida Budiman added that the central bank’s institute supports research relevant to national economic policy, including mineral downstreaming models, through collaboration with the ministry. “Such studies can serve as a foundation for policy recommendations and economic innovation,” she said. The collaboration aims to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and increase the relevance of national research. The government is also seeking mechanisms to attract industry participation in funding and utilizing university research results. Through cross-sectoral cooperation, the ministry expressed optimism that science and technology can become the main driver of Indonesia’s economic transformation.