ITB Rector: The Relationship Between Higher Education and Activity Research Activities in Indonesia
By Ninik Susadi Putri
Editor Ninik Susadi Putri



In a conversation about politics, we often hear the observers stated that "nothing was eternal in politics, except for the interest." In my opinion, this also applies in the world of research, "nothing is eternal in the study, except interest or the interest of research." The difference was related to the political interests of power while research interests related to science. The parallels, political management and research management alike to deal with the interest. Democracy gives a justification of political interests, while the principle of academic freedom provide justification for interest and research. Political cooperation requires adjustment while the interests of research collaboration requires an adjustment of interest. During these adjustments do not work, then the use of the authority / formal authority would not be fully effective. Researchers working in accordance with their respective research interests, which was guaranteed by the principle of academic freedom, and they have the capacity to establish a network of partnerships to pursue anything that interested him.
Currently, the Indonesian nation still faces a number of economic problems, so that economic development needs to be a national priority. But this was no reason for us to ignore the development in science, technology, arts, and social sciences-humanities (science and technology). It was important that universities and research institutions increase its contribution to economic development. But universities and research institutes also have another task, namely to advance science and technology and improve the nation's mastery of science and technology. According Ahmaloka, advancement of science and technology and the mastery of science and technology was an essential pillar for the independence and sovereignty of a nation. Backward nation with science and technology and the mastery of science and technology were minimal, science and technology will always depend on other nations. Despite the nation's economic growth, but that's because the economic model offered by other nations, because science and technology supplied by other nations. When undergoing democratic process using a model developed democracies of other nations, and when combating corruption was also used to eradicate corruption models offered by other nations. In fact, science was taught in schools primary and secondary level also knowledge developed by other nations. Economic problems did have an urgency to be answered. However, problems relating to the progress and mastery of science and technology can not be ignored. If these issues were not seriously addressed, the Indonesian people will be difficult to be truly independent, sovereign, and became one of the nations of the world.
Of course, we need not fear open to foreign parties. This openness allows the exchange and extracting foreign sources of science and technology to enrich the nation's science and technology. But if openness raises consumer attitudes towards foreign science and technology, it becomes a threat to the sustainability of the nation. State budget was always limited, and when the level of poverty and unemployment was still high, economic growth was to be a development priority. But this was not a reason to ignore the need for the nation's progress and mastery of science and technology. In such a situation, what is important was the understanding, commitment and the steps together, so that these limitations can be overcome. Certainly a common hope that the new government, we are going to achieve reform and progress in the fields of economics, law and politics. But our nation also requires more space and a climate that was more conducive to the advancement of science and technology and the mastery of science and technology, as an important part of the cultural progress of the nation. "May God the owner of Khazanah Sciences devote his instructions and guidance to all of us, so we were able to make science and technology as a pillar for the independence, sovereignty, and the progress of civilization in Indonesia." Ahmaloka said ending his speech.