SHARE HEIGHTS-IE (Higher Education Institutions Generating Holistic & Transferable Solutions - Innovation Ecosystems) Indonesia, Final Report

The HEIGHTS-IE (Higher Education Institutions Generating Holistic and Transformative Solutions – Innovation Ecosystems) project is part of the USAID-funded SHARE (Supporting Holistic and Actionable Research in Education) research activity. HEIGHTS-IE is a cross-country research initiative that studies approaches to enhance the involvement of higher education institutions (HEIs) in innovation ecosystems across Kenya, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It also seeks to inform USAID's evidence-based strategic planning and professional development efforts globally. The HEIGHTS-IE study featured in this report focuses on HEI engagement within the agricultural innovation ecosystem (AIE) in West Java, Indonesia, while considering constraints such as resources, relationships, and social norms.

The study employed a qualitative research approach across three phases. This report focuses on Phase 3, which involves conducting semi-structured key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government bodies, HEIs, private sector entities, NGOs, and bilateral agencies. KIIs and FGDs provided comprehensive data regarding HEI engagement in the West Java AIE. The research team analyzed and validated the data through consultations with an ecosystem advisory group comprising experts from various sectors. Stakeholders discussed HEIs according to their level of AIE engagement, including institutions with robust involvement, institutions facing barriers to participation, and institutions focused primarily on technical skills development. The study’s findings are intended to guide USAID’s higher education strategy in Indonesia and influence policies and practices at the national and institutional levels.