The cooperation was marked with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) as well as a discussion between OIKN and the higher education institutions at Samboja Lodge, Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan, on Friday (August 4, 2023).
In a statement released here on Saturday, OIKN Head Bambang Susantono said the MoU is a follow-up to an earlier cooperation with Mulawarman University on the development of the new capital Nusantara and supporting regions, which was signed in March 2023.
During Friday's discussion, the OIKN head and rectors discussed actions to make the new capital city a sustainable forest city through a consortium.
"Hopefully, the result of this discussion is something that is full of knowledge and evidence-based for a collaborative program with academicians to be carried out later," he said.
OIKN's Deputy of Environment and Natural Resources Myrna A. Safitri said that North Penajam Paser District, East Kalimantan, where Nusantara is located, is a region that has received less attention in terms of research.
"It is hoped that the consortium that will be carried out will help us strive for knowledge sovereignty, especially in North Penajam Paser region as part of the Nusantara capital city area," Safitri added.
In response to the results of the discussion, OIKN's Deputy of Green and Digital Transformation Mohammed Ali Berawi explained that the Nusantara Research Program has been initiated to support research in the new capital.
The research program comprises four clusters: energy, food, and transportation; social and humanities; well-being and environmental conservation; and technology and information.
"Hopefully, with the consortium, there will be knowledge storage and knowledge transfer, which can be used for further development," he said.
The discussion session ended with conclusions and inputs provided by rectors, namely, regarding Nusantara's development and the need for a comprehensive and science-based approach while still maintaining existing local knowledge and wisdom so that science and social aspects can go hand in hand.
They also expressed the hope that the people who live in Nusantara and its surrounding areas will live sustainably and in harmony with nature.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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