Supported by the Australian and Indonesian governments through the Knowledge Sector Initiative (KSI), seventeen members of Study Committee of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences (AIPI) visited universities and science academies in the Australian cities of Canberra, Sydney, Hobart, and Melbourne in November 2014. They met with the country’s leading scientists under a Science Enrichment Program facilitated by AIPI as part of the Indonesian Science Agenda development.
The visit was intended to broaden the outlook of Indonesian scientists and enrich the writing for the Indonesian Science Agenda that will be launched in May 2015.
On the Committee’s return to Indonesia, KSI facilitated a reflective discussion on the trip. During the discussion, several participants expressed their positive views on the visit. Professor Mayling Oey Gardiner, one of AIPI’s board members, observed that the team at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) promotes in interdisciplinary collaboration by working on thematic development issues rather than on disciplinary research. Another aspect highlighted by the participants from this visit is the value Australian scientists place on doing research beyond their country’s own issues. “While each country may have different issues with respect to the economy, society, and geology, in the end we have the same aim of using science for human’s betterment,” said Pri Utami, a scientist from Universitas Gadjah Mada.
Other Committee members also underlined the importance of the Australian government’s strong support for research behind the achievement of scientific excellence in Australia. During a visit to the National Health and Medical Research Center (NHMRC), the participants noted an example of the use of evidence-based research to determine policy on alcohol consumption level and water safety.
“This is one of the best study visits I have had,” said Yudi Darma, a scientist from Institut Teknologi Bandung, summing up his experience through the Science Enrichment Program.
The reflective discussion ended with a realization among the participants on the importance of networking among scientists in Indonesia, to support each other’s work, and create opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Further discussion on how to build and sustain that network will continue in 2015.
