REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YOGYAKARTA -- The competitiveness of gas and new and renewable energy industries needs to be improved during this era of globalization, according to an academician from Gajah Mada University (UGM).

"Competitiveness can be improved, among other ways, through innovation and the mastery of science and technology," said Widya Rosita, a lecturer from UGM's Faculty of Physics Engineering, here on Saturday (1/11).

She noted that cooperation in industrial research was one of the attempts to build and master innovation and technology to support the progress of industry in the country.

"Therefore, we need a national industrial development strategy in the field of gas and renewable energy," she remarked.

According to Widya, cooperation between industry and the university, with the support from government and professional partners, should be increasingly encouraged.

"GMU has started collaborative research efforts to develop the exploration of new and renewable energy fields, including processing and utilization of waste," she said.

Widya remarked that this was part of a partnership with the Indonesia Industry Research Forum (IIRF).

"The activity that has been implemented since 2009 is a forum for communications and promotion between UGM and relevant stakeholders in the industry," she said.

According to Widya, a major change in the energy system in Indonesia is needed to make the country independent in the field of energy. This requires a breakthrough and fundamental change in many areas.

Nonetheless, she said that a major change will not happen suddenly, because there will always be a period of transition.

"The transition in energy is not a sudden revolution after a prolonged stagnant period, because it is a continually developing process," she said.

According to Widya, the next five to ten years is the crucial period for such a transition and it should be managed appropriately.

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