Postgraduate students are the principal source for the researchers’ forceDepok, West Java (ANTARA) - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Head Dr Laksana Tri Handoko stated that out of all national research, nearly 90 percent is conducted by universities and merely 10 percent is conducted by research institutes.
"Postgraduate students are the principal source for the researchers’ force," Handoko stated while highlighting the urgency and effects of boosting collaboration between the BRIN and the University of Indonesia (UI) to bolster national innovation here on Thursday.
He explained that in line with the UNESCO standard, lecturers, scientists, and postgraduate students can be considered as researchers, and equal support for them is deemed necessary.
The BRIN has offered a research support scheme for innovative products for postgraduate students through national talent management in the field of research and innovation, he noted.
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Masters and doctoral students participating in the agency scheme are offered research facilities and financial support to complete their thesis. After completing their studies, graduated students are still eligible to access benefits from the agency.
The national talent management has set strict age groups aimed at attracting young researchers. Research support is specifically for masters students aged 21-24 years and doctoral students in the age bracket of 23-29 years.
Handoko pointed out that the benefits of national talent management are also available for Indonesian students studying abroad and foreign students studying in Indonesia.
"The benefits of national talent management are available for Indonesian diasporas and foreigners studying in Indonesia that are projected to serve as guest professor or assistant researcher," he stated.
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Doctoral students completing their dissertation under the agency's scheme would be hired as BRIN researchers for a period of at least 10-15 years before returning to their universities to teach. During their years of working for BRIN, the young researchers are expected to gain experience and knowledge on research, he noted.
"Doctoral students hired as BRIN researchers will stay in the agency only for a period of 10-15 years before they return to their respective universities once they have gained ample research experience," Handoko stated.
The researchers’ tenure at universities is aimed at passing down their research knowledge and projecting potential young postgraduate students to serve as the country's new researchers, he affirmed.
"The national talent management is BRIN's concrete support for universities' researches," Handoko stated.
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Translator: Feru Lantara, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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