Accelerating the Downstreaming of Research Results, IPB University Forms Knowledge Clusters
IPB University, through the Directorate of Research and Innovation (DRI), recently organized a Workshop on the Formation of Knowledge Clusters, held at the Onih Hotel in Bogor. The establishment of knowledge clusters is one of the activities funded by the Education Fund Management Agency (LPDP) and the Endowment Fund for Higher Education (DAPT), aimed at supporting the improvement of the university's ranking in the QS World University Ranking (WUR).
The Director of Research and Innovation at IPB University, Prof Sugeng Heri Suseno, expressed that collaborative research efforts between IPB University and several legal state universities (PTNBH) are carried out through the Indonesia Collaborative Research Grant (RKI). The collaboration among PTNBH has proven to have a positive impact on the quality of research and international publications.
"However, it is still necessary to strengthen the collaboration between state universities to further enhance research cooperation in specific fields of knowledge, resulting in internationally recognized research outputs. To this end, IPB University has designed a research support program for the formation of knowledge cluster groups," he explained.
In his report, Prof Sugeng presented the outcomes achieved from three activities in the DRI related to the WUR, one of which is the establishment of six clusters of knowledge groups.
"This program for forming knowledge clusters is expected to improve several supporting parameters in the WUR ranking assessment, including the number of publications, citations, and international research collaborations," he said.
In line with what was conveyed by Prof Sugeng, the Vice Rector of IPB University for Research, Innovation, and Agromaritime Development, Prof Ernan Rustiadi stating that although the number of faculty members at IPB University is lower compared to other universities, IPB University can demonstrate that its outcomes exceed the set targets.
Meanwhile, Prof Iskandar Z Siregar as the Vice Rector of IPB University for Global Connectivity, Cooperation, and Alumni, expressed that this is the first-year activity. Therefore, he emphasized the need to continue it in the following years with more innovative programs, in order to support IPB University in achieving the best performance in the QS WUR ranking.
Six clusters of knowledge groups have been formed and established based on the Rector's Decree at IPB University, comprising: 1) Stunting Cluster, chaired by Prof Ali Khomsan, 2) Underwater Technology Cluster, chaired by Prof Indra Jaya, 3) Blockchain, Robotic, and Artificial Intelligence Networks Cluster, chaired by Prof Yandra Arkeman, 4) Indonesian Fish Oil Cluster: Science, Technology, Challenges, and Future Industry Outlook, chaired by Dr Wahyu Ramadhan, 5) Development of Networking and Empowerment of Rice Knowledge Group Cluster Supporting National Rice Production Strengthening, chaired by Dr Ahmad Junaedi, and 6) Indonesian Biotechnology and Genetics of Marine Fisheries Working Group (iBIGFISH), chaired by Prof Alimuddin. (*/Rz) (IAAS/IPB)
