Jakarta, INTI - Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, emphasized the need to strengthen national defense technology independence through cross-sector collaboration in the era of Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA).
Digital Leadership and Collaboration as Key Drivers
Brian delivered this message during a public lecture at Indonesian Army Command and Staff College on Friday, April 10, as part of the Regular Education Program LXVII for the 2026 academic year.
He stated that discussing digital leadership in the VUCA era essentially means preparing a nation with superior human capital, advancing scientific knowledge, strengthening innovation, and aligning all these elements with strategic national needs.
According to him, leadership in the digital age requires a strong scientific foundation, rapid decision-making capabilities, and the adoption of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI).
He also highlighted that higher education plays a crucial role in producing adaptive and analytical human resources capable of navigating global dynamics.
Research Downstreaming and Strengthening Strategic Industries
Brian stressed that Indonesia must not remain merely a market for defense technology but should evolve into a producer and developer of its own innovations.
He asserted that the country must position itself as a creator and developer, capable of standing independently through its technological strength.
He further encouraged the downstreaming of university research through partnerships with industry, particularly in strategic sectors such as data systems, AI, and semiconductors.
Commander of Seskoad, Agustinus Purboyo, added that increasingly complex global challenges require strong synergy between education, research, and practical implementation.
He noted that future challenges cannot be addressed in isolation, and that collaboration across sectors is essential to build an adaptive and sustainable defense capacity.
This effort aligns with the directive of Prabowo Subianto to strengthen national technological independence as a foundation for sovereignty.
Conclusion
Strengthening national defense technology independence in the VUCA era requires strong collaboration between academia, industry, and government, supported by digital leadership, advanced technologies, and the development of high-quality human resources.
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