Trilogi University’s rector, Dr. Ir. Asep Saefuddin, on 29th September 2014 discussed challenges to research in Indonesia in an article featured by local newspaper, Jawa Pos. In presenting a new strategy to advance the country’s quality of research, Dr. Saefuddin primarily focused upon encouraging greater cooperation between government agencies, institutions of higher education and industry. Among the recommendations put forward by Dr. Saefuddin is the establishment of a single ministry tasked with overseeing research and higher education – a change from the current system in which two separate ministries are given these responsibilities.

Dr. Saefuddin in the feature article explained that higher education institutions stand to play a central role in producing entrepreneurs and researchers. Close collaboration with the business community, facilitated by the government, would allow for the creation of graduates with targeted skill sets catering to key industries most in need of innovation and scientific breakthrough.

Within the context of an increasingly globalized economy, Dr. Saefuddin posited that the need for entrepreneurs is set to reach new heights through the assertion that at least 2% of a given population needs to be entrepreneurs. In Indonesia, this means that the country requires at the very least 5 million entrepreneurs. Reaching this target will trigger the development of a more educated labour force, in that for every entrepreneur starting a new business there is an increase in demand for skilled employees. As explained by Dr. Saefuddin, 5 million entrepreneurs would necessitate the recruitment of between 25 to 50 million undergraduate degree holders and between 50 to 100 million high school graduates.