BPOM RI and UNAND Support SDG 4 and SDG 9 through World-Class University Innovation Agenda

Padang, February 6, 2026 — The Head of the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority, known as BPOM RI, Prof. dr. Taruna Ikrar, encouraged Universitas Andalas (UNAND) to strengthen its path toward becoming a world-class university through innovation, creativity, research impact, and strategic collaboration.

The message was delivered during an inspirational lecture, or Kulinspirasi, attended by hundreds of UNAND students as well as students from several higher education institutions in West Sumatra, including Universitas Negeri Padang, Politeknik Negeri Padang, Universitas Bung Hatta, Universitas Baiturrahmah, Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatra Barat, Universitas Dharma Andalas, Universitas Ekasakti, Universitas Perintis Indonesia, and Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Farmasi.

The activity was also attended by UNAND Rector Efa Yonnedi, Vice Rector I Syukri Arief, Vice Rector III Hefrizal Handra, Vice Rector IV Henmaidi, and other members of the UNAND academic community. BPOM RI was represented by several officials, including the Chairperson of Dharma Wanita Persatuan BPOM, Elfi Taruna Ikrar; Deputy for Drug, Narcotics, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Addictive Substance Control, William Adi Teja; and Head of BBPOM in Padang, Martin Suhendri.

In his presentation, Prof. Taruna Ikrar explained that a world-class university is not only defined by international rankings. More importantly, it is measured by excellence in education, research, and real contributions to society. He emphasized that the concept should become a framework for building higher education institutions that are excellent, relevant, competitive, and capable of producing sustainable impact for science, industry, and global development.

He also underlined that becoming a world-class university requires strong governance, science-based research, cross-sector collaboration, and the ability to transform innovation and creativity into solutions that benefit national and global development. According to him, universities can help local Indonesian products gain global competitiveness when they are managed with proper quality, innovation, and standards.

Prof. Taruna used rendang as an example of a local Indonesian product with global potential. He noted that rendang was recognized as the best coconut-based dish in the world in the 2025 TasteAtlas Awards list of the 100 best-rated dishes with coconut. This achievement, he said, shows that local products can compete internationally when supported by quality, safety, and compliance with global regulations.

The Head of BPOM RI also stressed that innovation born from universities must create real-world impact. Students, he said, are key actors in innovation and entrepreneurship. Research should not stop at scientific publications, but should move toward practical solutions that can be felt by society. In the right ecosystem, campuses can produce innovators, founders, and problem solvers who turn ideas into trusted innovations.

BPOM RI also opened opportunities for strategic collaboration with UNAND to create broader impact. The potential cooperation includes curriculum development and review to align learning with regulatory needs, scientific advancement, and global challenges in food and health. Collaboration may also include training, dissemination activities, workshops, seminars, and competency development programs for students, lecturers, and related stakeholders.

This initiative supports SDG 4 Quality Education by encouraging UNAND to strengthen its academic quality, research relevance, student capacity, and global competitiveness. Through the world-class university agenda, students are encouraged to become innovators and entrepreneurs who can transform knowledge into solutions for society.

The activity also aligns with SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure because it promotes science-based innovation, product standardization, research commercialization, and stronger links between campus, industry, and regulators. By connecting research, entrepreneurship, quality standards, and global market readiness, UNAND and BPOM RI contribute to building a stronger innovation ecosystem.

Through this inspirational lecture, BPOM RI reaffirmed its support for UNAND’s transformation toward a more impactful and globally recognized university. The agenda highlights the importance of moving campus research beyond publication toward innovation, entrepreneurship, and solutions that strengthen Indonesia’s contribution to the world.