Denpasar- The 24th National Technology Awakening Day (Hakteknas) which was held in Bali was filled with a number of activities. The annual event begins with a healthy walk around Puputan Niti Mandala Field, Renon, Denpasar, on Sunday (25/8/2019). The participants who reached tens of thousands were released directly by the Indonesian Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education (Menristekdikti), Mohamad Nasir. In addition, there is also the Ritech Expo, which exhibits various research results and innovations in various fields of technology.
The health walk covers a distance of about four kilometers. The participants came from students from a number of universities in Bali, local governments, and the general public. The atmosphere is very lively. Minister Nasir participated in it and followed it to the finish. After the event, he also immediately inspected the expo. Ganesha University of Education (Undiksha) is one of the participants. This university with eight faculties exhibits innovative products in the form of wine made from grapes, robots, electric motors, sea grapes, and Balinese crafts made from composites.
After reviewing, Minister Nasir explained that the expo was a way to introduce innovative products made by the nation’s children. He emphasized that these very diverse products can be a source of the economy. “We want people to know what innovative products exist,” he said.
This, he continued, was also to stimulate the community, especially the younger generation, to work and become entrepreneurs. “Many young Indonesians have become entrepreneurs. The assets are also great,” he said. The minister who was born in Ngawi, on 27 June 1960 explained that a touch of technology was needed to boost the economy in the era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0. This will also strengthen competitiveness. Not only for individuals but also for the nation. “Economic development must be with technology. It’s no longer the usual way,” he said.
Specifically for Undiksha, the development of technology-based innovation has also been supported by a business incubator, which was recently inaugurated by the Menristekdikti. Chancellor of Undiksha, Prof. Dr. I Nyoman Jampel, M.Pd., briefly explained that the incubator was also to facilitate research products to enter the industrial sector. “With this incubator, we also hope that the enthusiasm of the lecturers to do research will be even higher,” he said. (hms)
