Medan – The Directorate of Innovation, Sustainable Development, and Science and Technology Parks (IPBKST) at the Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) held a Monitoring and Evaluation (MONEV) event on the Commercialization of Innovative Products under the Industry Engagement, Synergy, and Technology Promotion Scheme on October 6–7, 2026. This event was held both online and in person as part of efforts to monitor and evaluate the progress of commercializing research and innovation outcomes within USU.

The purpose of this monitoring and evaluation process is to review the progress of the downstreaming program’s implementation, evaluate the achievements made, and identify various challenges and opportunities that can be addressed. This activity also serves as a means to ensure that the downstreaming process proceeds in accordance with the established objectives, while strengthening the connection between university research outcomes and the needs of the industrial sector.

Through its monitoring and evaluation (MONEV) activities, IPBKST USU encourages the innovative products developed by the academic community not only to remain at the research and development stage but also to have opportunities for further development, implementation, and utilization by the public and industry partners. Strengthening synergies among universities, industry, and other stakeholders is a key aspect of accelerating the commercialization process and increasing the added value of research and innovation outcomes.

This initiative is part of USU’s commitment to strengthening a sustainable innovation ecosystem, enhancing the competitiveness of research outcomes, and promoting the use of technology that delivers tangible benefits for development. The results of monitoring and evaluation are expected to serve as the basis for formulating follow-up measures, improving program implementation, and developing cooperation with relevant partners.

The implementation of this activity is also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, through the strengthening of research, technology development, and the utilization of innovation outcomes; as well as SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through enhanced collaboration among universities, the industry, and various stakeholders.

Through ongoing monitoring and evaluation, IPBKST USU hopes that the process of commercializing innovative products will become more focused, collaborative, and impactful, thereby supporting the development of competitive innovations and contributing to society and national development.