The role that shapes business direction is often the one valued the least. A bold statement and a fact.
Imagine you get into a group project with you being the lead of finding learning materials that is relevant to the course, then all of the sudden the next day when your group presents, one of your coworkers act like they contributed, when in reality they didn’t help and get anything done the day before.
That is how researchers are being treated in the industry.
Researchers have a vital and yet strategic role, they think of innovation, improving the quality of life, and addressing various global challenges. Despite their essential role, many Indonesian researchers still endure modest living standards and salaries that do not align with their responsibilities or the impact they generate for national development.
According to Kompasiana, in developed countries like Japan, research professors’ salaries can reach Rp 600 million to Rp 900 million per month. While in Indonesia, an experienced and highly educated research professors can only earn around Rp 5.2 million to Rp 8.8 million per month.
Such circumstances indicate insufficient support from multiple parties for research endeavors, which in turn weakens the development and continuity of the research industry in Indonesia. It is also true that countries with strong research ecosystems have higher innovation competitiveness.
But in Indonesia, those who are rich in knowledge must work with the intention of being sincere and selfless because they don’t get an outstanding income. Just like how they treated academician.
The government should invest more in researchers. Supportive policies must be established to strengthen research development, particularly through incentives for researchers whose innovations contribute to public welfare. Also, strengthening collaboration with the private sector and international research institutions to increase resources and knowledge in research.
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