Competitiveness depends not only on economic growth, but also on a country’s ability to connect knowledge, policy, technology, human resources, and industrial capabilities. Amidst global technological and economic changes, collaboration between government, academia, and the business world is becoming increasingly important.
This perspective is at the heart of the SBM ITB Industrial Summit 2026, organized by the School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung (SBM ITB) and the Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow, in Jakarta on August 19–20, 2026.
Themed “Wealth of Nations: An International Forum Commemorating the Intellectual Legacy of Adam Smith,” the forum brought together government, academics, industry leaders, regulators, policymakers, and professionals to discuss Indonesia’s economic transformation and industrial competitiveness.
The summit highlighted the importance of an ecosystem that connects the roles of various parties. Academic institutions produce knowledge and talent, the government provides direction and policy certainty, and industry translates ideas and technology into productive activities and economic value.
From Knowledge to Economic Value
One of the challenges of Indonesia’s economic transformation is how to leverage knowledge and education to increase industrial productivity and competitiveness.
Prof. Ir. Lavi Rizki Zuhal, Ph.D., emphasized the evolving role of universities in addressing economic and industrial challenges. Universities are no longer merely places of learning, but are also part of an ecosystem that generates knowledge, drives innovation, and offers solutions to societal and industrial problems.
This role is increasingly important with the rapid pace of technological change. Universities need to understand technological developments, anticipate change, and prepare human resources that are adaptive, innovative, and capable of creating value.
Research, talent development, innovation, and technological capabilities therefore need to be connected to industrial needs and economic priorities. Moreover, Indonesian industry faces pressure to increase productivity, adopt new technologies, and shift towards higher-value-added activities.
Connecting Global Knowledge
International academic collaboration can also provide access to new perspectives and knowledge amid global challenges in technology, supply chains, sustainability, and competitiveness.
Dr. Xiang Li, Director of Internationalization at the University of Glasgow, emphasized the importance of internationalization in expanding academic networks and collaboration opportunities.
The Glasgow-Bandung collaboration is one way to connect Indonesia’s economic and industrial priorities with global perspectives and networks. For SBM ITB, this partnership strengthens the universities’ role as a bridge among knowledge, business, government, and society.
Policy and Industry
Knowledge and innovation also require policies that enable industry to translate them into productive economic activity.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, in his ministerial keynote, placed economic transformation and industrial competitiveness as Indonesia’s priorities amidst global economic changes. Technological developments, shifting supply chains, and increasing competition between countries require Indonesia to continue strengthening productivity and competitiveness.
The ability of industry to adapt and create added value will increasingly determine Indonesia’s position in the global economy. This requires not only physical infrastructure, but also quality human resources, innovation, technological mastery, and the ability to produce higher-value products and services.
The government therefore needs to respond to industry needs while providing certainty for long-term investment and innovation. Universities contribute through research, talent development, knowledge, and technology, while industry translates these insights into practical applications and economic value.
The Industrial Summit 2026 provides a meeting place for these diverse perspectives. Regulators, policymakers, academics, business leaders, and innovators may have different approaches, but they complement each other through dialogue and collaboration.
Ultimately, economic transformation requires an ecosystem, not individual actors working in isolation.
