Professor Stella Christie, who serves as the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, emphasized the crucial and strategic role of research and science in advancing the nation. This statement was made during the opening of the National Youth Researchers Competition 2024 held at Multimedia Nusantara University (UMN) on Thursday, December 5, 2024. In her address, she highlighted that research is not solely dependent on the use of laboratory equipment or specific scientific methods. Beyond that, research is rooted in the ability to ask methodical, deep, and focused questions. This serves as the foundation for the development of knowledge that has a broad impact on society.

There are three main aspects that are essential elements in research activities. First, the research question, which she emphasized as the beginning of every research process. According to her, good research always starts with a directed sense of curiosity, resulting in relevant and potentially answerable questions through scientific methods. Second, networking, which she referred to as key in building relationships among researchers. Collaboration among researchers allows for sharing and understanding of research findings. This is crucial in creating professional connections that support the collective development of knowledge. Third, scholarly work, which serves as an important medium for scientists to communicate. Through the publication of scholarly work, researchers can share their findings with a wide audience so that their research can be read, appreciated, and even utilized by others.

In addition to explaining these three elements, building a strong research climate is one of the main requirements to realize Indonesia’s grand vision for 2045. Competitions like the National Youth Researchers Competition, she stated, serve as a concrete step in creating a deeper and more sustainable research culture in Indonesia.