The Triple Helix and The Public

[caption id="attachment_26385" align="alignleft" width="199" caption="SHUTTERSTOCK"][/caption] The triple helix of academician-business-government has become a main issue in public policy making. Obviously, more and more key persons represent the A, B, and G parties realize that loose link among these three parties has to be tightened up.  A more opened and intensified communication has to be established between academic and business communities, business and government, and between government and educational institution. While our higher education institutions or universities are struggling in their way to established themselves as being research universities, now, they are also highly expected by the stakeholders to play a new role as entrepreneurial educational cum research institutions.  In addition to their primary tasks of higher education and academic researches, the universities are also expected to provide both highly qualified and a kind of ready to use alumni and provide results of research with option for use in economic contexts,  or in other words, results of research with  commercialization potentials. However, entrepreneurial universities should not and never be equated with commercial universities. In return, business communities should be encouraged to allocate adequate budget to support research activities conducted in universities and/or establish mutual collaboration in conducting industrial oriented researches. Universities are also expected to significantly contribute in solving problems encountered by government in all aspects of development and in supplying comprehensive and accurate information as references in making public policies and regulations.  Commitment of recent government of Indonesia to increase budget allocation by minimum 20% of national budget for education sector should be treated as a great momentum for higher education institutions to achieve better academic and entrepreneurial standings. Government and business communities have to level their platform of partnership.  Regulation and public policy should stimulate growth of domestic and foreign investment, should not excessively restrict business activities, and good governance principles should be consistently implemented.  On the other hand, business communities are also expected to implement good business practices, not only focusing on making short-term profit, but also play significant role in community development and other social responsibilities. Co-evolution Of The Triple Helix Balancing roles amongst business community, government institutions, and academic society is a dynamic and continuous effort.  Each strand of this ABG triple helix should progress at similar pace and should be positioned at a level platform.  Tilting slightly left or right, back or forward, is a dynamic nature of progressing activities.  However, it should not be too steep otherwise everything on this platform will be fallen off. This triple helix cannot be simplified into three separated reciprocal interactions between each pair of A-B, B-G, and A-G. Therefore, in spite of focusing on balanced perspectives in business practices, governance, and personal life.  Lets insert academic society as one inseparable strand of the ABG triple helix then focus on how to develop a B-G mutual relationship; however, it will be more comprehensive if in discussing this bilateral relationship, we also always reserve some open doors for academic community to contribute.