BRIN Explains the Academic Task Force, Not a Rival but a Talent Puller for Campus

Head of BRIN Arif Satria. (Teddy VOI)

JAKARTA - BRIN Head Arif Satria explained that the Academic Task Force plan was not to double the role of existing research institutions. According to Arif, the task force was prepared to attract the best talent from campuses to participate in monitoring national strategic research projects.

Arif said BRIN and the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, Science, and Technology continued to coordinate in the preparation of the research agenda. One of the collaborations that are being prepared is the roadmap for Indonesian research 2026 to 2045.

"The roadmap for Indonesian research 2026-2045 was compiled together between BRIN and the Ministry of Science and Technology which will be launched later in August, on Technology Day," said Arif at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Tuesday, July 7.

He explained that the roadmap would be the basis for sharpening the research theme. From there, the government can form a research group that oversees strategic areas.

According to Arif, BRIN has researchers and research facilities. Universities also have many talents. The two need to be brought together so that research does not go alone.

"BRIN has good talent, has good facilities. The campus also has good talent. We must synergize this, so that there is no overlap in research," he said.

Arif emphasized that what will be launched in August is a research roadmap, not the Academic Task Force. Discussions on the task force are still being carried out together with the Minister of Science and Technology.

"Regarding the Task Force, we continue to discuss with the Minister," he said.

He gave an example, the satellite project still needs researchers from various campuses. Likewise, research on garlic, nuclear, energy, health, food, to advanced technology.

"For example, regarding satellites, we also need to attract good talents, good researchers from various campuses to be able to strengthen our projects," said Arif.

For garlic research, the government will look for academics who already have experience in the field. For nuclear, BRIN will also partner with campus researchers who focus on nuclear for energy, health, and food.

"Well, we will also work with people from the campus, who have a concentration there, join together. That's what the Task Force is about," he said.

Arif said the composition of the Academic Task Force's management had not been determined. The government is still mapping the priority topics that will be escorted.

Meanwhile, for research funding will be carried out together. There is support from the Ministry of Science and Technology and BRIN.

"Sharing. From the Ministry of Science and Technology there is, from BRIN there is. But it is clear that the team is together," said Arif.

According to Arif, BRIN's current research priorities refer to President Prabowo Subianto's priority programs. The fields include food, energy, environment, water, health, housing, space industry, nuclear, semiconductors, computers, AI, and omicscience.

Omicscience is a research approach that studies biological data on a large scale, including genomics, to produce new products. In the context of food, this approach can be used for the development of genetically-informed products.

Arif said the government was not only pursuing advanced technology. Middle technology and appropriate technology must also run because the community needs solutions that can be used immediately.

"Advanced technology, intermediate technology, and appropriate technology, we control all three," said Arif.