Currently, many Indonesian campuses are actively involved in IP development. For example, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) reports hundreds of registered IP assets, including 330 patents as of 2024; Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) has filed more than 1,500 copyright registrations; and Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani (Unjaya) operates an HKI center dedicated to filing patents and copyrights on behalf of the university. These are just few examples of how universities are actively building IP portfolios to support research impact, industry collaboration, and academic reputation.
Below we compile how establishing an environment of lively IP innovation benefits not only universities, but the students as well:
- Turning Research Into Real-World Impact
Universities produce a large volume of scientific, technological, and creative work. IP protection ensures these outputs, especially patents, can be safely transferred to industry, government bodies, or the public. By securing IP before disclosure or collaboration, universities can move academic discoveries beyond the laboratory and into real life practical value.
- Creating New Revenue Streams to Support Research and Facilities
When universities license their IP they generate income through royalties or licensing fees, which can be reinvested into laboratories, research equipment, grants for academics, or innovation-related programs. When fundings for research are sometimes limited, IP commercialization could provide an alternative financial foundation for the university’s long-term research future.
- Strengthening Collaboration with Industry and Attracting Research Funding
Clear IP ownership and management practices give third parties confidence when entering joint research projects. Well-defined IP rights reduce uncertainty and make it easier for companies to adopt or co-develop university technologies. This clarity helps universities secure research sponsorships, innovation-focused collaborations, and government-funded programs that require pathways to commercialization. Strong IP management can therefore expand both academic networks and financial opportunities.
- Encouraging Innovation and Entrepreneurship Among Students and Lecturers
A culture innovation on campus is highly beneficial for student development. When students or researchers know that their creations are protected, they can become encouraged in developing new technologies, creative projects, and all sorts of innovative ideas. Universities can build entrepreneurship programs, incubators, and innovation hubs around IP protection, using it as a foundation to help academic innovators take their ideas to practice. By exposing students to an environment that ensures recognition and appropriate benefits, their innovative potential
- Protecting the University’s Institutional Identity and Work
Universities generate extensive educational content, such as lecture materials and digital modules, copyright helps protect these works from unauthorized use. Copyright ensures proper attribution for academic creators and protects the integrity of instructional resources—deterring from copycats and misuse. Meanwhile, trademarks protect university names, logos, and branding, which are especially valuable as universities expand online learning, international partnerships, and public-facing activities.
Conclusion
The practices of Indonesian universities like UGM, Unpad, and Unjaya demonstrate how intellectual property is a powerful tool for research, fosters innovation, and supports collaboration with industry. By protecting academic outputs, generating revenue, and encouraging entrepreneurship, IP helps universities maximize the impact of their work while safeguarding their institutional identity, as well fostering the next generation of Indonesian inventors and innovators.
For more questions regarding IP, contact us at ambadar@ambadar.co.id
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