INDONESIA AND UNITED STATES TO STRENGHTEN SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION, INDONESIAN SCIENCE FUND HEADLINES THE PURPOSE

Jakarta, 29 February 2016 – Indonesia and the United States agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in scientific research and higher education partnership. The commitment was made during the meeting of Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo and United States’ Barrack Obama in the White House on October 26, 2015. The Indonesian Science Fund (DIPI), a national Fund for research declared by the Indonesian Academy of Sciences (AIPI) on May 2015, will spearhead this purpose.

The joint statement made by President Joko Widodo and Barrack Obama during the meeting, released by The White House, stated as follows, “The establishment of the Indonesian Science Fund represents a milestone in Indonesia’s scientific development and the creation of new opportunities for connecting Indonesian research to the global scientific community.” Many countries has acknowledged fund that awards grants on a competitive and merit-based process will encourage the best world-class science and engineering, as well as producing scientists with prominent compentency. Thus, making it suitable to boost Indonesia’s capacity to participate in global scientific partnership including with the United States.

The Indonesian Science Fund will provide sustainable financial infrastructure and flexible budget mechanism for Indonesian scientists based on merit and competitiveness. DIPI will also provide competitive rewards and incentives for quality research. It is essential that the multiyear-grants will not be managed in the annual state-budget cycle, to ensure the flexibility needed by the scientists to create a state-of-the-art science and innovation.

The two countries agreed to strengthen research partnership in priority areas outlined by the Science & Technology Agreement including marine protection, agricultural technology, health and renewable energy. Indonesia and the United States have established  a comprehensive partnership since 2010. The visit by President Joko Widodo in the later half of 2015 enhanced bilateral cooperation between the two countries. During the visit, the two leaders signed several agreements on strategic issues including maritime, defense, energy, and aviation.

Whitehouse.gov | Anggrita Desyani