The West Sumatra Provincial Government (Pemprov Sumbar) has officially strengthened its strategic collaboration with the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) at Andalas University (Unand). This synergistic step was taken to accelerate the implementation of academic research and innovation results so that their benefits can be directly felt by the community and support regional development.
The strategic agreement was discussed during an audience meeting between the Governor of West Sumatra, Mahyeldi Ansharullah, and the leadership of FMIPA Unand at the Governor's Palace on Thursday (30/7/2026). On that occasion, various preparations for downstreaming superior technologies were discussed, ranging from modern waste management systems to sustainable agriculture programs.
Governor Mahyeldi emphasized the importance of downstreaming research so that it does not remain merely academic documents or scientific publications. According to him, utilizing innovation from higher education is crucial in formulating science- and technology-based regional policies that are on target, while also increasing regional competitiveness.
FMIPA Unand offers various practical solutions, including the use of maggot technology to address waste issues, the development of BioVORA to support the circular economy, and plant tissue culture methods to produce superior seeds and conserve germplasm. In addition, there is also a program for the development of stingless bees (galo-galo) and their derivative products, which hold economic potential for local residents.
The Dean of FMIPA Unand, Prof. Dr. Mai Efdi, stated the full commitment of the academic sector in supporting governance. The campus is not only ready to supply product innovations, but is also prepared to assist in capacity building for Civil Servants (ASN) within the West Sumatra Provincial Government to make them more adaptive and innovative in facing development challenges.
