"This program is very important, because it is aimed at increasing the capacity of the institutes of higher learning to produce international-class researches," Indonesian Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education Mohamad Nasir stated while launching the program along with US deputy ambassador to Indonesia Brian McFeeters.
The cooperation-based researches, which will be conducted through the Center for Collaborative Research (CCR) and initiated by USAID SHERA, will serve as a forum for academics, researchers, regional governments, private institutions, and non-governmental organizations in Indonesia and the United States.
The five institutes of higher learning deserved the program after they bested some 70 rivals across Indonesia. The five institutes of higher learning are University of Indonesia (UI), Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), Bandung Institute of Technology (IPB), and Padjadjaran University (Unpad).
Eight US institutes of higher learning will become partners in conducting researches. They are University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colarado Denver, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Rhode Island, University of Mississippi, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, University of Florida, and University of Savannah.
The topics of researches include urban planning and development for UI; technological innovations for ITB; public health and infectious diseases for Unpad; and the environment, energy, and maritime affairs for UGM.
The creation of CCR will be very helpful to develop, nurture, and maintain researches in the fields of science, technology, and innovation. The partnership between the US and Indonesian institutes of higher learning will increase the capability of researchers and the supporting capacity of the environment studied in Indonesia, McFeeters noted.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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