The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) and Endowment Funds for Education (LPDP) launched a UK-Indonesia Consortium for Interdisciplinary Sciences (UKICIS)-themed Productive Innovative Research Programme (RISPRO) on Wednesday (16/03), in collaboration with the London-based consortium of the same name. The programme aims to grant funding towards Indonesian researchers working together with British partners on either of five areas, namely green economy, blue economy, digital technology, health, dan tourism. The launch was broadcast live through Zoom and the official Youtube Channel of the Indonesian Embassy in London.
The Rector of Universitas Indonesia, Prof. Ari Kuncoro, states that the age of collaboration has arrived, and that UKICIS-RISPRO will strengthen collaboration and cooperation in research between Indonesia and the United Kingdom. “UI is committed towards the strengthening of collaboration in research and cooperation in education in order to reach our common goal of becoming one of the best in every areas in 2004. We shall also continue endeavouring towards our goal of becoming an entrepreneurial university.”
Nadiem Anwar Makarim, the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia (Mendikbud RI), expressed, on the same occasion, his views on the importance of a research ecosystem, particularly in academic settings, in facing and solving various problems still plaguing Indonesia. He deems the programme a viable approach towards reaching the aforestated goal.
“Giving independence towards campuses is the main precondition towards a constant research ecosystem. The campuses and students must be provided with opportunities to collaborate with other educational institutions and other sectors outside educational ones.”
UK-Indonesia Consortium for Interdisciplinary Sciences (UKICIS) is an Anglo-Indonesian alliance pioneering research and expertise to build global resilience against pandemics, the climate emergency, and natural hazards. The consortium serves to develop and enhance educational, economic, and cultural links through outreach activities and community engagement. The UKICIS champions Science Diplomacy, strengthening the bilateral relationship between the UK and Indonesia through scientific collaboration.
UKICIS brings together the best of Indonesian academic talent at the University of Nottingham, the University of Warwick, and Coventry University, together with those at Institut Teknologi Bandung, Institut Pertanian Bogor, and Universitas Gadjah Mada in Indonesia. in 2021, Universitas Indonesia officially became a member of the consortium and took part in UKICIS’s launching, which also saw the participation of the Indonesian Embassy in London, the British Embassy in Jakarta, Endowment Funds for Education (LPDP RI), the Ministry of Research and Technology (Menristek), National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Social Security Administrative Body (BPJS), and British Council Indonesia.
RISPRO grants aim to foster Indonesian homegrown research by 2025. The programme involves the participation of various research institutions, institutions of higher education, industrial enterprises, and other related supporting institutions. A substantial amount of funding comes from LPDP UI. Researchers applying for grants will be funded for a maximum of four years.
Further information on RISPRO may be accessed through the following links: https://ukicis.org.uk, https://ukicis.fmipa.ipb.ac.id, and https://dikti.kemdikbud.go.id. The deadline for submission of funding proposals is set at May 2022.
