In this webinar, Dr Laksana Tri Handoko, Chairman of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) provided insights on BRIN’s establishment and elaborated on the possible directions in which the agency would focus on as it builds up a conducive environment for research and technological development in Indonesia.
INDONESIA STUDIES PROGRAMME WEBINAR
Tuesday, 31 August 2021– ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute invited Dr Laksana Tri Handoko (Chairman of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)) to speak in a webinar titled “Introduction to National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the future of research and development in the country”. Moderated by Dr Yanuar Nugroho (Visiting Fellow of Indonesia Studies Programme, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute), Dr Laksana Tri Handoko elaborated on the progress made in establishing BRIN and introduced some of the targeted goals set out for the agency in the years to come.
Dr Handoko first began by introducing the background of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), elaborating on its transition into a single entity for 48 governmental research institutions across ministries and institutions by January 2022. He also shared the key overarching objectives of BRIN, (1) to improve the research capacity and competences through the establishment of key research infrastructure, (2) to attract young talents as well as (3) to become the key facilitator in establishing global engagement and collaboration with local business players as well as other research institutions in the region. Dr Handoko also proceeded to elaborate on the agency’s plans and targets for the next few years, one of which looks at making Indonesia a global platform for natural resources and diversities-based research. Others include providing the platform for talents to grow in research fields as well as being the enabler for national industries and local businesses to conduct R&D based product development. All these aims to push forth greater innovation within Indonesia, boosting an open, inclusive and collaborative research ecosystem in Indonesia.
Dr Handoko further elaborated on the back-end mechanism behind BRIN’s establishment, looking primarily at the regulations driving the operations of BRIN. In particular, he elaborated on the National Talent Management where he believed that BRIN can be the platform for young talents to grow their research capabilities in Indonesia. He explained the current brain-drain situation for local talents in Indonesia and hoped that with the establishment of BRIN, more talents would be attracted to conduct research within Indonesia and contribute back to the growth of its research capacity. Dr Handoko also emphasized BRIN’s commitment to providing an open research infrastructure so that it will remain attractive for all stakeholders in establishing key research in Indonesia. He, therefore, hoped that BRIN can become the main collaborating body and facilitator for multi-local and global stakeholders. With the establishment of BRIN, he believed it would ensure a smooth process for research development and aid in improving the research and innovation ecosystem in Indonesia.
The webinar drew an audience of 76 participants from both Singapore and abroad. The panel then discussed on a range of topics during the Q&A segment which included topics such as the collaboration between BRIN and Ministry of Education and Research, the procedure for applying research permits for international and Indonesia’s diaspora scholars, research funding allocation and management in view of COVID-19 pandemic as well as the details in facilitating research with private enterprises and foreign research institutions. This session ended off with a closing remark from Dr Handoko where he expressed openness in having future collaborations with global institutions and would work toward ensuring a promising partnership with various research stakeholders in the future.
