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The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Mendiktisaintek) and Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Islamic Economists Association (IAEI), Prof. Brian Yuliarto, delivered a keynote speech at the IAEI National Working Meeting (Rakernas) in the Ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta. In his speech, Mendiktisaintek emphasized the urgency of strengthening superior Islamic economic human resources and close synergy between academic institutions and the industrial world as the key to developing the national Islamic economic ecosystem.
Prof. Brian congratulated all newly appointed IAEI administrators, emphasizing that this responsibility is a vital contribution to the people and the nation. He highlighted the rapid dynamics and challenges of the global economy, which require Indonesia to have proactive Islamic economic human resources in designing the future, not just adapting.
IAEI is encouraged to act as a “bridge” connecting academic research with the practical needs of industry. This role is crucial in advancing the halal industry, strengthening the Islamic finance ecosystem, and supporting the progress of MSMEs based on local wisdom.
“IAEI can stand as the guardian of the Islamic economics curriculum, as well as a bridge between universities and industry, especially the halal industry and the Islamic finance ecosystem,” said Prof. Brian.
Tripartite collaboration between universities, industry, and related institutions is emphasized as a key prerequisite for creating major breakthroughs in the Islamic economy sector. Drawing inspiration from early Islamic history regarding wealth and social management, Mendiktisaintek believes that the Islamic economy can be a source of prosperity and justice.
Amidst rapid technological advances, including artificial intelligence (AI) and science and technology innovations, Indonesia has great competitive potential. Brian invited the new IAEI board to use the momentum of this inauguration as a collective commitment to strengthen research and innovation, as well as to enhance campus-industry partnerships to make Islamic economics a real force that drives national independence and sovereignty.
Supported by the government through the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education, IAEI is expected to play a strategic role in four key aspects in designing and overseeing an Islamic economics curriculum that is relevant to industry and research needs; facilitating campus-industry collaboration for innovation and downstreaming of research results; supporting the development of the halal industry, Islamic finance, and Islamic economy-based MSMEs; and educating and producing globally competitive human resources.
With this policy direction, the inauguration of the IAEI board for the 2025–2030 period marks the beginning of a deeper strategic collaboration between academics, industry, and economic actors to strengthen the foundations of Indonesia's Islamic economy.
