TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Laksana Tri Handoko has stated his determination to make the agency a collaboration hub for researchers in Southeast Asia.

Handoko said that BRIN's laboratories are open to any parties wishing to conduct research projects and develop science in general.

"Through the researcher mobility program, we want to make BRIN a collaborative hub for ASEAN countries, especially for the purpose of research in biodiversity, nuclear, and space fields," he noted during a press conference in Jakarta on Sunday.

According to Handoko, BRIN's research on biodiversity, nuclear, and space is the most massive compared to other Southeast Asian countries.

By taking Indonesia's great potential into consideration, he said, BRIN has set its focus on research on biodiversity utilization.

Furthermore, he said that biodiversity was not limited to life science as it also encompasses space and nuclear energy. Space research is important as it will develop the use of remote sensing through satellites. As for nuclear, BRIN is conducting genetic engineering, including bio-engineering and bio-informatics.

"Our future depends on today's bio organisms. Indonesia is blessed with the greatest biodiversity, which puts it in a relatively good position in the world. With that in mind, we should not miss this momentum. We have been conducting a lot of research on the related field," he pointed out.

Since its establishment two years ago, BRIN has been consolidating its commitment to becoming a strong research agency by issuing various scientific works to benefit the public.

The agency has also developed various infrastructures to provide better support to researchers, ranging from research equipment to laboratories and ships.

"We already have very reliable infrastructures for some research fields." "However, we still need to fulfill large infrastructures for some other fields," he noted.

The large infrastructure, he said, would enable the agency to expand its research work.

"We will soon finish the development of infrastructure in the form of research ships, remote sensing satellites, and accelerators," he concluded.

ANTARA

Editor's Choice: Official Says Preparations for ASEAN Summit 90 Percent Complete

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News