We are interested about the development of a technopark in Bantaeng regency, South Sulawesi (Kompas, 7/8).
The Bantaeng technological zone is expected to become a model for regional development.
There are two things from the Bantaeng technological zone that can be used as material for discussion. First, it will become an embryo for the biotechnology and agroindustry. Second, the zone can be used as an example of the work of the triple helix concept, namely the synergy of three ABG elements, or academic, business and government. Making the triple helix more complete involves a fourth element, namely the community.
The community gives color to downstream industry development by adding local wisdom. It is an impression to be discussed by Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Mohammad Nasir during his planned visit to Bantaeng in the framework of the commemoration of the National Technology Awakening Day on Aug. 10.
Over the past two decades, technological discourse has come to the fore, also the triple helix that then becomes the quadruple helix by adding the C element to the ABG, namely the community. However, we hardly hear success stories on the implementation of this concept. What we frequently hear is debate whenever there is criticism of the concept. For example, the business circle says the results of various academic research cannot be applied to commercialization because it does not take into account market tastes, or the government says research funds cannot be disbursed because the research characteristics are too scientific and therefore have less potential to be applied.
If the Bantaeng technological zone can be claimed to be a success, things like the aforementioned example could be settled because the three parties work in one complex. Communication is expected to be smooth.
Minister Nasir said 66 technology zones were being explored under the coordination of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, the Agriculture Ministry, the Industry Ministry and Research and the Technology and Higher Education Ministry. President Joko Widodo hopes to built 100 technology zones. Success in Bantaeng should provide momentum to not only achieve the target but to also produce results in various industrial fields.
With careful mapping, in the application of regionalization of such centers —which at a glance seems similar to the concept of the Master Plan for Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesian Economic Development (MP3EI) during the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration— there would be no need for Indonesia to experience the ironic salt shortages.
We have noted the good news from Bantaeng, and within five years we want to see whether it can inspire success in the development of technological zones and economic and industrial development, at both the local and national levels.
