Located 800m above sea level and surrounded by mountains, Bandung has a mild temperature ranging from 22-27 degress Celcius. Bandung, a city of around four million inhabitants, is known as the City of Education. Many famous state and private universities are located here. Bandung Institute of Technology, the oldest and the best institute of technology in the country, was selected to host the 10thTriple Helix International Conference, in cooperation with the State Ministry of Research and Technology, and the Ministry of Education and Culture of Republic of Indonesia.
Unlike previous TH conferences, Triple Helix X 2012 was held in cooperation with the Indonesia National Technology Awakening Day (Hari Kebangkitan Teknologi National or Hakteknas) held from 8-11 August 2012, by the State Ministry of Research and Technology, Indonesia. In parallel with the conference during the week there was a national tehnology innovation exhibition, a carnival of technology products, much discussion, and a talk show on innovation to name a few.
The Conference in Bandung attracted nationwide attention and received national press coverage due to the presence of Indonesian Ministers as well as the strategic positioning of the conference in the National Technology Awakening Day. Many reporters from the national mass
Conference Theme
Since the Conference was being held in Indonesia, a developing country with an emerging economy, emphasis was placed on the conceptualization and implementation of the Triple Helix in the developing countries context. The theme of event was “Emerging Triple Helix Models for Developing Countries: From Conceptualiation to Implementation”, with sub-themes including:
1. Strengthening National Innovation Policies in Developing Countries
1.1 Grouped Sectors: Universities and R&D InstitutionsBuilding entrepreneurship and social transforming leadership in universities and R&D institutions: Emerging and new approaches for the management of R&D institutions in developing countries.
1.2 Grouped Sectors: BusinessIntroducing R&D activities as the gauging factor for the management of innovativeness in businesses.
1.3 Grouped Sectors: GovernmentReconstructing the holistic profile of governments in deploying innovation
1.4 Grouped Sectors: CommunitiesStrengthening the communities, combating poverty in the developing countries, expanding the civilization achievement.
1.5 Grouped Sectors: Developing Countries IssuesThe Triple Helix concept as innovation strategy for transforming developing countries: cases learned from developing countries and in the context within ASEAN.
2. Building Infrastructure
The development of innovation infrastructure in the following sectors:
- ICT
- Automotive/Transportation Innovations
- Defense
- Energy
- Food
- Health and medicine
- Advanced materials
- Science parks/centers
3. Success Stories in Enhancing the Relevance of the Triple Helix Model
Creating live policy issues that address specific aspects of how the Triple Helix c onc ept an d academia/bus in ess /government interactions can spur the innovative capacities and capabilities of developing countries. The objective was to stimulate discussion/dialogue and policy development that would bring to the fore the role innovation can play in the economic growth and success in developing countries.
Conference Hosts
The Conference received the full support of the Indonesian Government and academia. Considering the importance of the Triple Helix issue for innovation and development in developing countries, the Indonesian government, as represented by the Indonesian Ministry of Research and Technology, had the initiative to hold TH X in Indonesia. After winning the bidding process to hold the conference in 2012, the Ministry of Research and Technology (www.ristek.go.id), in cooperation with the Directorate General of the Higher Education Ministry of Education and Culture (www.dikti.go.id), and the School of Business and Management, Bandung Institute of Technology (www.sbm.itb.ac.id/en/), prepared to organize the event. The organizing committee, effectively working a year before the conference, was always in contact with and received guidance from Triple Helix Association board members.
ITB SBM
(School of Business and Management)
The School of Business and Management was established in December 2003, and it is regarded as one of the most progressive Business Schools in Indonesia with its innovative curriculum and leading edge studies with multidiscipline area of expertise. The school aims not only to provide quality degrees, but also practical experience in line with educational goals so that students can approach issues in life with unique and fresh perspectives. The Graduate School of Business Management offers four educational programs:
SBM‐ITB is not a newcomer in the Triple Helix community. SBM-ITB is a leader in research development and innovation and conducts collaborative research on the Triple Helix, such as research in knowledge management by Professor Jann Hidajat Tjakraatmadja. There are other divisions such as the Center of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership (CIEL), the Consultancy and Continuing Education (CCE), and the Indonesian Business Case Center (IBCC). In November 2009, in Indonesia, SBM ITB was named as “The Best Business School 2009” based on independent surveys conducted by SWA Magazine.
State Ministry of Research and Technology – Indonesia (RISTEK)
Founded in 1962 as the National Research Affairs Ministry of Republic of Indonesia, and in 1973 changed its name to Minister of Research, Year 1986‐2001 to the Minister of State for Research and Technology, and in 2002, according to the Circular Letter of Minister of State for Administrative Reform about the naming of Government, Office of the Minister of State, referred to the Ministry of Research and Technology. In 2005, based on Presidential Regulation No 9, this institution called the State Ministry of Research and Technology (KNRT) or with the title of State Ministry of Research and Technology.
The Ministry of Research and Technology has the task to assist the President in formulating policies and coordination in the field of research, science, and technology. Functions of the Ministry of Research and Technology are:
- Formulation of national policies in research, science, and technology;
- Coordination of policy implementation in the field of research, science, and technology;
- Management of properties/assets under its responsibility;
- Supervising the implementation of its duties;
- Submitting evaluation reports, suggestions, and considerations its task fields and its functions to the President.
In formulating the direction and priority development of Science and the preparation of national development strategic policy Science, the Ministry of Research and Technology is supported by the National Research Council (DRN).
On June 2009, His Excellency Dr Kusmayanto Kadiman, the former State Minister for Research and Technology; Dr Teguh Rahardjo, Deputy Minister for Research, Science and Technology Program ‐ RISTEK, and Dr Marzan Iskandar, Chairman of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology ‐ BPPT, attended the Ministerial Panel of the Triple Helix VII Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. Their attendance led to the 10thTH Conference being held in Indonesia.
Program Highlights
The day-to-day program of the Conference was as follows :
Day One (Wednesday August 8, 2012) – Morning
Opening Ceremony and Plenary Session: “Academics, Business and Government Interaction for Innovation”.
Speakers:
- Professor Henry Etzkowitz (President of THA)
- HE Professor Gusti Muh Hatta (Indonesia Minister of Research and Technology)
- Professor Ahmaloka (ITB Rector)
- Professor Xudong Gao (Tsinghua University, China)
- Dr Nobrega (Fluminense Universidade, Brazil)
- Professor Johann Löhn (Steinbeis Foundation, Germany)
Day One (Wednesday August 8, 2012) Afternoon
Day Two (Thursday August 9, 2012) Morning
Plenary Session:
“Academics, Business and Government Interaction for Entrepreneurship”
Speakers:
- Mr Warsito Purno Taruno (Indonesian tomography researcher who established the first private lab in Indonesia)
- Mr Dasep Ahmadi (Indonesian entrepreneur who build electric car)
- Professor Loet Leydesdorff (University of Amsterdam, and TH expert)
- Dr Caroline Paunov (economist from OECD, based in France)
- Mr Anindya Bakrie (CEO Bakrie Telecom, one of Indonesian leading telecommunication company)
Day Two (Thursday August 9, 2012) Afternoon
Day Three (Friday August 10, 2012) Morning
ASEAN Ministerial Panel and THA General Assembly
ASEAN Ministerial Panel was attended by six ASEAN countries:
- Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia, Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili JP
- Vice Minister of Science and Technology Vietnam, Le Dinh Tien
- Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Philippine, Professor Fortunato de la Pena
- Secretary of Ministry of Industry, Mining and Energy Cambodia, Chea Sing Hong
- Senior Officer for National Science and Technology Laos, Dr Silap Boupha
- Deputy Minister of Research and Technology Indonesia, Professor Amin Soebandrio.
From the presentations and discussion, ASEAN countries are now more serious in developing their national innovation system that in turn it will have significant impact for realizing the ASEAN dream to become one community by 2015
The morning session of day three closed with the Triple Helix Association General Assembly, which discussed the progress of the THA in terms of increasing the number of THA members, simplifying payment of the membership fee, and substantiating the content of the THA Helice Newsletter.
It was also announced that the Triple Helix Conference in 2013 will be held in London, UK. The Conference will be hosted by the Big Innovation Centre, in cooperation with the University of London’s Birkbeck College, and the University College London.
This was followed by closing speechs by the Vice Rector of Research and Innovation, Professor Wawan Gunawan Kadir; Deputy Minister of Research and Technology, Professor Amin Soebandrio; and Professor Henry Etzkowitz, the President of THA.
Conference Representation
The conference was attended by more than 250 participants from thirty countries (Table 1). The participants consisted of paper presenters, authors, and conference attendees. During the Conference, 114 papers were presented in sixteen parallel sessions.
Countries with highest number of representatives were Indonesia, Brazil, Thailand, Russia, and the UK.
Complementary/Special Programs
TH X 2012 provided not only an academic conference on triple helix issues, but also complementary programs as novel features, e.g. a satellite image exhibition, satellite events, interactive cultural events, and conference mobil app. As THC X 2012 is perceived as a high level event that could attract a lot of attention and international participation, some organizers (our partners) agreed to hold meetings and an exhibition as an integral part of the conference program.
(1) Satellite Images Exhibition “Eye of the Sky”, presented by German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in cooperation with German Aerospace Centre Satellite Event from READI (Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument).
(2) In close cooperation with the local TH organizers, the Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument (READI), supported and implemented a session on “S&T Cooperation and Innovation Systems in ASEAN” as part of this Triple Helix Conference’s program.
The session focused on the question of how regional and biregional S&T cooperation can stimulate innovation involving government, universities, and industry, particularly in emerging economies and developing countries within ASEAN. Perspectives from ASEAN and the EU, on innovation theory and an actual private sector innovator with a research background were presented and put up for discussion in front of an ASEAN policy-maker audience as well as the wider public of Conference participants (from government, academia, and industry).
(3) Satellite Event of AbF (Agriculture beyond Food).
(4) A gala dinner combined with interactive traditional music and dance performances gave a memorable experience during the conference.
(5) A conference mobile app was provided for the participants to ensure access to all necessary information regarding the plenary, parallel, and satellite events, including their corresponding locations, information about the papers, and authors, schedule, etc. This app could be accessed by any mobile devices including smartphones, tablets or notebook.
Conference Publication<
Papers presented at the Conference by registered authors are published in the Conference Proceeding and are available online at the conference website, www.th2012.org. Also, thirty-five papers are published in Elsevier Provedia Social and Behavioral Science (S+BS) indexed by Scopus, and eight to ten papers are still in the process of being published in the Journal of Industry and Higher Education (IHE).
Acknowledgements and Appreciation
Much appreciation was received from the Conference delegates. One remark from Professor Jose Manoel Carvalho de Mello made during the THA Assembly Meeting, “ … it is the best Triple Helix conference ever!”, a really encouraging comment that conclude our more or less a year of hard work.
Our special thanks for the support provided to the conference goes to our sponsors: ASEAN-EU Year of Science, Technology and Innovation (Yosti), German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), German Aurospace Centre (DLR), German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, PT Telkom Indonesia, Majalah Energi, and Bank BJB. We are also grateful to Bandung Heritage, for helping us arranging cultural events.
We would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to Professor Wawan Kadir, Vice Rector of ITB, Professor Sudarso K W, Dean of SBM-ITB, Professor Togar Simatupang, Vice Dean of SBM-ITB, and Dwi Larso, PhD for their support. The conference would not have been successful without the collaboration from the RISTEK team, therefore, heartfelt thanks go to Professor Amin Soebandrio, Mrs Nada Marsudi, Mr Amir Manurung and the other RISTEK team members. Special thanks also to Professor Tariq Durrani and Sheila Forbes from the THA for their continuous guidance. Last but not least, thanks to all organizing committee members who worked hard and smartly together to make the TH X Conference an unforgettable moment!