Indonesia, Australia push innovation in sustainable energy research

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, along with the Endowment Fund for Education Agency (LPDP) and Australia, launched Kemdiktisaintek-KONEKSI to strengthen the Indonesian research ecosystem in energy transition.

At the launch event on Wednesday, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Fauzan, emphasized the importance of cross-country collaboration to accelerate innovation.

"One of the realized KONEKSI programs is the scientification of salt production in Madura from the traditional process to the modern process," he explained.

According to Fauzan, this collaboration program aligns with the ministry's goals of transforming higher education into a problem-solving mechanism for the nation's challenges.

Fauzan expressed appreciation to partners who contributed to this program.

"Collaboration is necessary, especially if we are talking about acceleration. It is in accordance with the government's mission through Asta Cita, which also strengthens the role of universities," he remarked.

Meanwhile, LPDP Research Facilitation Director Ayom Widipaminto stated that this program is a priority for LPDP in line with the government's target of increasing the renewable energy mix to 23 percent by 2025 and 30 percent by 2050.

"Since 2013, we have funded 197 energy sector research (projects), including renewable energy worth of Rp173 billion (US$10 million); 17 research (projects) related to electric vehicles and their components worth of Rp52.25 billion (US$3 million); and research related to carbon capture, climate change, and others amounting to Rp35 billion (US$2 million)," he elaborated.

On the same occasion, Australian Chargé d'Affaires to Indonesia Gita Kamath stated that the Australian government fully supports this collaboration due to its positive impact in creating sustainable innovative solutions.

She affirmed that this collaboration covers a range of important research themes, such as climate change, digital transformation, and biodiversity, with joint funding until 2026 and an allocation of Rp20 billion (US$1.1 million).

"Through this joint call scheme, the Australian and Indonesian governments are committed to encouraging research focusing on more inclusive and sustainable development with no one left behind," she emphasized.