The younger generation is a valuable asset for sustainable development that would decide the fate of our nation in the future.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The younger generation is key for developing Indonesia into an advanced nation, head of the National Research and Innovation Agency Laksana Tri Handoko has said.

"The younger generation is a valuable asset for sustainable development that would decide the fate of our nation in the future," he remarked during the BRIN Young Scientist Award 2021 here on Thursday.

The future of Indonesia lies in the hands of the younger generation, he remarked.

They could become excellent researchers who could produce various works, innovations, and achievements, he said.

To this end, a nation can become advanced and independent if it truly commits itself to prepare the younger generation to continue what has been done today, he added.

Indonesia should continue to invest in research and innovation to protect its position amid the global economic competition in science, research, and innovation, he said.

"Indonesia should handle hurdles that could reduce research quality. By investing in research and innovation, Indonesia could build a far better research ecosystem that could make the nation prosperous," Handoko explained.

To build such an ecosystem, Indonesia should focus on the human resources needed to achieve that goal, he said.

Because without quality human resources in research and development, Indonesia's economic growth and development would not be optimal, he affirmed.

"We are committed to mastering technology in the truest sense and this should all be based on the development of science and technology in improving research and innovation activity," he added.

Improving research and innovation activities could be done by providing mentorship in scientific research and engineering, he suggested.

There are thousands of researchers and innovators in Indonesia, and thousands of the diaspora that are scattered all over the world, Handoko highlighted.

This could become Indonesia's strength that should be consolidated, especially young researchers who could become the nation's research and innovation strength, he said.

BRIN identifies, mentors, and values the nation's science and technology human resources potential, starting from the younger generation, he added.

"This is what we at BRIN focus on so that we can catalyze the potential within young researchers consistently and they can make their best contribution to the nation and our people," he remarked.

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Translator: Martha S, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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