UK Disburses IDR 3.7 Billion In Grants For Indonesian Science

UK-Indonesia Consortium for Interdisciplinary Sciences (UKICIS) meeting with representatives of the Government of Indonesia (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The UK Indonesia Consortium for Interdisciplinary Sciences (UKICIS) received a grant of 200 thousand pounds or the equivalent of IDR 3.7 billion from the UK Government through the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) led by the University of Nottingham, said UKICIS Coordinator Bagus Muljadi to Between London, Sunday, 29 November.

According to Bagus, the grant will enable his party to overcome challenges related to the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and electric aircraft in Indonesia.

"This grant from the British Government is to finance the first research project of the UK Indonesia Consortium for Interdisciplinary Sciences (UKICIS) in collaboration with UGM and the University of Indonesia starting in early 2021," he said as quoted by Antara, Monday, November 30.

The selection of the UKICIS team proves that Indonesia is a priority compared to other countries that are the focus of the GCRF. "Funds from the British government are prioritized to build the capacity of the battery industry, electric-powered vehicles and aircraft in Indonesia," he said.

According to the University of Nottingham, the grant from the British Government was the result of a follow-up meeting with BUMN Minister Erick Thohir.

"What we are doing is a form of scientific diplomacy by using research as a tool to strengthen the cooperation between the UK and Indonesia," he added.

The University of Nottingham wants to help revive the Indonesian electric vehicle and aircraft industry through collaborative research by UKICIS between the best research institutions in the UK and Indonesia in an effort to build closer bilateral relations between the two countries.

The University of Nottingham and the Global Challenge Research Fund have agreed to fund the project to start in early 2021.

"I am very pleased that our project was awarded the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF)," said Bagus, adding that the project would help improve air quality, health and well-being, promote prosperity and economic growth, and increase community resilience and mobility.

The project can also help add value and realize Indonesia's potential as the world's largest mineral battery. The GCRF also grants funds to UK universities to carry out research with developing countries.

These funds are competed again internally in each university - and professors will submit their proposals.

"This is where our role as a diaspora is to form a team and submit a proposal so that the funds are used for the advancement of Indonesia and not other countries," he said.

The team members consisted of Professor Patrick Wheeler, Professor Sean Rigby, and Professor Kulwant Pawar, and Dr Kevin Amess while DR Bagus Muljadi was the Team Principal Investigator.

It is hoped that in the future UKICIS can help other diaspora do the same. As a prerequisite, the provision of funds must be fully used in the interests of Indonesia.

Apart from that, Professor Benny Tjahjono also received funds from the GCRF of 15,000 pounds (around Rp. 2.8 billion) on behalf of Coventry University which is also a member of UKICIS.