Current Ecosystem Has Yet to Support Improvement in Research

KOMPAS/IRENE SARWINDANINGRUM

A laboratory technician and research assistant are conducting bacterial filtration (BFE) testing on medical masks in a Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) box equipped with a HEPA filter at the Microbiology and Bioprocess Technology Laboratory at the Chemical Engineering Study Program, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), on Wednesday. (31/3/2021).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Research and innovation play a crucial role in advancing the nation and, thus, they ought to be the foundation of development efforts. However, data released by global institutions state that Indonesia is lagging behind in building a knowledge and innovation ecosystem.

Although Indonesia has numerous well-qualified researchers, this has yet to be bolstered by a supporting ecosystem, as evident in the country’s rigid budgeting system, among other factors. As a consequence, some researchers opt to work abroad, while those who remaining in Indonesia stumble over difficulties producing world-class research.

“We need a breeding ground and a good ecosystem so that our most promising researchers can develop their skills well in their own country,” Indonesian Sciences Academy (AIPI) chairman Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro said in Jakarta on Sunday (8/8/2021). National Technology Awakening Day, which falls every 10 August, is expected to serve as an opportunity to fix the national research ecosystem.

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According to the 2017-2045 National Research Master Plan, by 2045, the number of researchers in Indonesia is targeted to reach 8,600 researchers per 1 million population, while the research budget is planned to amount to 1.26 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and the gross domestic expenditure 5.04 percent.

KOMPAS/TOTOK WIJAYANTO

Indonesian Sciences Academy (AIPI) chairman Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro.

“These figures are similar to that of South Korea in 2014,” National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) head Laksana Tri Handoko said on Friday (6/8).

Thus, it is necessary to consolidate human resources, research infrastructures and budgets to ensure a more efficient and optimal research efforts.

Handoko explained that the basic problem with research in Indonesia is the predominance of the government in conducting research instead of the private sector. Of the total research and development (R&D) spending, 80 percent is used by the government. In addition, R&D spending is spread across at least 48 ministries. Thus, it is necessary to consolidate human resources, research infrastructures and budgets to ensure a more efficient and optimal research efforts.

National Nuclear Energy Agency (Batan) head Anhar Riza Antariksawan added that research development remained partial in several institutions, creating further obstacles in realizing an advanced national research ecosystem.

Budgetary system

Another key aspect is the current budgetary system, which hinders long-term research. At the end of every year, research materials are audited and funding components are prohibited to be changed.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

Visitors who came from local residents observed the multipurpose reactor cooling pool facility at the Serpong G.A. Science and Technology Research Center (Puspiptek). SIWABESY belongs to the National Atomic Energy Agency (BATAN), South Tangerang, Banten, on Tuesday (25/9/2018).

“Meanwhile, research in any field often takes quite a long period of time, and it still does not guarantee any success; it may take years,” Satryo said.

The AIPI pursued grants for Indonesian researchers, which bore fruit in 2016 in the form of the Indonesian Science Fund (DIPI). However, to date, the government has yet to prepare any funding.

Astrid Irwanto, an Indonesian researcher who works at the National University of Singapore’s School of Science, said researchers could access numerous research funding mechanisms in Singapore. Around 15 years ago, Singapore recruited many foreign researchers, including Nobel laureates, to strengthen its research ecosystem. Handoko hopes the BRIN could consolidate and integrate research works in order to produce better innovations. (AIK/TAN/MTK/ELN)

(This article was translated by Astria Zahra Nabila)