Strengthening the Education and Health Ecosystem, Sinar Mas Land Supports Research Innovation Program by Monash University, Indonesia
Monash Velos Accelerator Jakarta Session in collaboration with Digital Hub by Sinar Mas Land and Monash University, Indonesia
BSD City, Tangerang – Sinar Mas Land through Digital Hub continues to strengthen its role as a catalyst for innovation by building an education and healthcare ecosystem with its strategic partners. This commitment was demonstrated through its support for the Monash Velos Accelerator program by Monash University, Indonesia, at an event titled "Innovation Across Borders", held on Thursday (31/7) at Green Office Park (GOP) 9, BSD City. The event was attended by 100 participants, including research professionals, healthcare professionals, innovation focused companies, and clinical research organisations.
More than just an incubator or accelerator, Velos serves as a collaborative platform connecting researchers, clinicians, startups, investors, and policymakers. The goal is to create meaningful impact through research innovation and commercialization that can transform the healthcare system comprehensively and sustainably. Velos also acts as a bridge for industry players to access research and clinical trials from Monash University and its partners in the health sector. The program is supported by the Victorian Heart Institute & Hospital at the Monash Technology Precinct, backed by more than 110 researchers and 700 active members focused on cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, diabetic diseases, etc.
Professor Matthew Nicholson delivering the opening remarks
Professor Matthew Nicholson, Monash University, Indonesia’s Pro Vice-Chancellor & President said, "The Monash Velos Accelerator represents Monash University, Indonesia’s commitment to building a globally connected innovation ecosystem that bridges research, industry, and education. We believe meaningful innovation happens when diverse expertise comes together with purpose. Through collaboration with Sinar Mas Land and our global research community, we are equipping future leaders with the tools to drive impactful solutions in healthcare and beyond for the benefit of Indonesia and the region."
Irawan Harahap, CEO of Digital Tech Ecosystem and Development Sinar Mas Land stated, "Education and healthcare are essential foundations for improving quality of life in BSD City and its surroundings. Through our support for the Monash Velos Accelerator program, Sinar Mas Land is committed to fostering an ecosystem that encourages innovation and breakthroughs in the health sector, while also advancing knowledge and technology that can benefit not only Indonesia but also the global community. Our collaboration with Monash University, Indonesia further strengthens the role of the Digital Hub to enrich the ecosystem at the D-HUB Special Economic Zone (SEZ), BSD City as a center for international education, technology, and health. This initiative aligns with our vision to build a community that is adaptive to technological advancements and capable of delivering real solutions to future challenges."
The speakers and moderator at the nnovation Across Borders event
The Monash Velos Accelerator event featured a series of presentations and panel discussions, bringing together experts from the healthcare industry, startup founders, and leading researchers. The three keynote speakers in the presentation sessions included:
- Professor Stephen Nicholls, Program Director, Monash Heart, Intensive Care and the Victorian Heart Hospital, Monash Health, Director Monash Velos Accelerator & Director Victorian Heart Institute, Monash University, with the topic "Enabling Innovations Across Borders."
- Abraham Auzan, Executive Director of Rabu Biru Foundation, Monash University Alumni, with the topic "Innovation Success Across Borders."
- Agustine Gunawan, Senior VP, Alodokter, and Monash University Alumni, with the topic "Health Tech Ventures: Challenges And Opportunities."
Other than that, the event included a panel discussion featuring several distinguished speakers, such as Professor Derek Chew (Service Director, Victorian Heart Hospital, Monash Heart & Director of Cardiac Informatics Research, Victorian Heart Institute, Monash University), Robby Hertanto (CEO Increase Laboratorium Indonesia), Charlie Hartono (AVPN Indonesia Country Director), Mulyawan Gani (Chief Transformation & Data Officer Sinar Mas Land), and Adithia Kwee (Founder Kaiser Clinic). The discussion explored a range of strategic topics, such as the challenges and opportunities in Indonesia’s health tech sector, emerging trends in cardiovascular innovation across the Asia-Pacific region, and potential collaborations between startups and global research institutions with theme "The Next 5 Years in Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Innovations."
The collaborative spirit of the Monash Velos Accelerator aligns with Sinar Mas Land’s efforts to build an innovative ecosystem in Indonesia, which has been pursued since 2016 through digital transformation and the development of key areas such as the Digital Hub in BSD City. Since its establishment in 2016, the Digital Hub has evolved into a center for innovation that integrates startups, multinational companies, academic institutions, and stakeholders from the technology, healthcare, and education sectors. Today, the Digital Hub is transforming into a business enabler, designed to support investment from both local and international players across various Sinar Mas Land projects in Indonesia. Surrounded by innovation centers such as Digital Hub, Techpolitan, and leading educational institutions, BSD City offers a vibrant environment that fosters both learning and career development.
In terms of accessibility, Monash University, Indonesia benefits from direct access to the Serpong–Balaraja (Serbaraja) Toll Road Sections 1A & 1B and the Jakarta–Serpong Toll Road, which are integrated with major toll networks including JORR 1, JORR 2 (Soekarno Hatta Airport – Kunciran – Serpong – Cinere – Cimanggis – Cibitung – Cilincing), the Jakarta–Cikampek (Japek) Toll Road, and the Jagorawi Toll Road. Mobility to/from Monash University, Indonesia is further supported by various public transportation options, including the free BSD Link shuttle bus, BSD City feeder buses, and the commuter line train via Cisauk Station located within the Intermoda Market BSD City. Looking ahead, connectivity will be further enhanced with the upcoming Jatake Station, which is expected to begin operations in Q4 2025, offering an additional commuter line train route.