The World Bank is working together with the Indonesian Government to build up the country’s science and technology capacity as part of its USD 95 million Research and Innovation in Science and Technology Project (RISET).

RISET aims to create an enabling policy environment for Research and Development (R&D) in science and technology, to improve the capabilities of public R&D institutes, and to improve science, technology and innovation human resource capacity

“Improving human resources and national capabilities in science and technology is a key pillar in Indonesia’s masterplan to accelerate and expand its economy. Shifting from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy will bring Indonesia up the value chain in a wide range of sectors, with the help of homegrown innovation and a vast pool of human resources,” said Stefan Koeberle, World Bank Country Director for Indonesia.

“The World Bank will support Indonesia in making this transition by sharing extensive global knowledge in strengthening public science and technology institutes, as well as training and managing advanced human resources,” he added.

The World Bank identified seven state institutes involved in the project, namely: the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI);the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT); the National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN); the National Institute for Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN); the National Geospatial Information Agency (BIG); the National Standardization Agency (BSN); and the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (BAPETEN).

In addition, RISET will also support provincial R&D agencies in the six economic corridors identified under Indonesia’s masterplan: Sumatra; Java; Kalimantan; Sulawesi; Bali-Nusa Tenggara; and Papua-Maluku Islands.

According to Dandan Chen, World Bank Senior Economist for East Asia and Pacific Region and project team leader, a large part of RISET will also involve providing fellowships to raise the academic credentials of hundreds of Indonesian researchers, especially those in science and engineering discipline.

“Citing official statistics, less than five per cent of all researchers in Indonesia’s state science and technology institutes hold PhDs. Less than 15 per cent hold masters degrees, while the majority hold bachelor’s degrees or lower,” Chen said.

Around 400 researchers will benefit from upgraded knowledge and skills acquired through degree or non-degree training, and thousands from strengthened industrial and global knowledge exchange.