UNAIR NEWS – “The industrial revolution is in sight, the university should be able to build a start-up ecosystem to contribute in global competition,” said Professor of Economics, Badri Munir Sukoco SE., MBA., Ph.D in his presentation in Professors’ Innovation Exposition held at Campus C Universitas Airlangga, Thursday, November 2.
Badri conveyed that the rapid development of the digital world has given birth to a new civilization. The occurrence of industrial revolution 4.0. The phenomenon is feared to cause many problems . One of them is the replacement of humans by robots.
“This is what must be faced, including by universities, whether they can optimize their roles or not, “he said.
Creativity is needed to face the industrial revolution. Universities has a role to produce creative class. They should not only create creative professionals such as doctors, lawyers but also creative innovators.
According to him, 70% of the world’s population will live in megacities. In the world, there will be only 50 megacities that have much more advanced economies than conventional countries.
To develop a megacity in a country will be successful if it is supported by world class university. The best university will produce the best talents. The chosen talents will form an ecosystem of innovation .
Indonesia with its demographic bonus is predicted to be the 5th world economic power. However, it may not happen when preparations for it are not done as early as possible.
Indonesia must have an ecosystem innovation to realize megacities. “If not, it is likely to be displaced by this industrial revolution,” said Badri.
Having an ecosystem that will encourage the creation of new things. India for example, Badri pointed out that the country has madea start-up ecosystems to encourage their economic growth. “Israel has the highest GDP and patent right and it turns out that the start-up development is also the most advanced in the world,” he said.
“Indonesia should have a very friendly policy in increasing GDP through start-up,” he continued.
According to him, the university is currently playing in the background, it should be able to collaborate with various related elements to face the industrial revolution 4.0. “FK students with economics students, or FK students with Pharmacy students, for example, have to collaborate to know what the future needs. UNAIR is currently developing a startup center, a body that facilitates students in building start-up, ” he explained.
Author: Helmy Rafsanjani
Editor: Feri Fenoria
