Enhancing Research Collaboration, BRIN - UTM Establish a Cooperation Agreement

Jakarta - BRIN Public Relations. The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) have agreed to increase collaboration in the field of research and innovation. This cooperation was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between BRIN Deputy for Research and Innovation Utilisation R. Hendrian and UTM Vice Chancellor Datuk Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, at the B. J Habibie Building, Jakarta, Monday (17/7).

Director-General of Higher Education of the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education Azlinda Azman said in her speech that this cooperation will open up more potential for research collaboration that has been established between Indonesia and Malaysia, through BRIN and UTM.

"This is in line with our aspirations to elevate the dignity and glory of Southeast Asia, and enhance research output at the Asian continent and global levels," she said.

Azlinda elaborated that 17 BRIN researchers have joined the degree by research postgraduate programme at UTM, as a follow-up to the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed in 2021. This collaboration successfully resulted in 11 research cooperation grants, which also involved 15 UTM researchers.

Then, on 14 June 2023, another MoA was signed between BRIN and UTM. Around 20 BRIN researchers are expected to join the DbR programme in October 2023.

"This cooperation agreement shows the trust and synergy between the two countries through BRIN and UTM. We hope there will be more cooperation, as a strategic partnership in carrying out research and development for the common good," said Azlinda.

She emphasised that the Malaysian Minister of Higher Education is very focused on research that can contribute to the development of society. Not only industries, but also communities. And also have an impact on global issues, such as climate change and technological disruption.

"We hope that Indonesia and Malaysia will become a strong entity that provides research results at the global level in accordance with our culture," Azlinda hoped.

Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Dato Syed Md Hasrin Bin Tengku Hussin revealed that the relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia is at a very good stage, both in the fields of politics, economics, and government to government (G to G) cooperation. He explained, currently there are around 11 thousand Indonesian students in Malaysia, and 2 thousand Malaysian students in Indonesia.

According to him, the cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia in the field of research is a very good example, beneficial for the country and society.

Welcoming the visit of the Malaysian delegation, BRIN Head Laksana Tri Handoko explained that BRIN has duties and functions as a funding agency, executing agency, and policy maker for the research and innovation sector. The funding agency programme, he explained, does not only provide infrastructure, but also programmes for researchers, such as post-doctoral and visiting professorship.

"Regarding funding agencies, we do not only provide funding as fresh money, but we also provide infrastructure and researchers programmes," he explained.

With 12 Research Organisations and 85 Research Centres in BRIN, Handoko hopes that there will be more cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia in research and innovation

The areas of cooperation in this memorandum of understanding include energy and manufacturing; electronics and informatics, including artificial intelligence; aviation and space; nanotechnology and materials; nuclear energy; social sciences and humanities; archaeology, literature and linguistics; technology for health; life and environmental sciences; food and agriculture; earth and maritime sciences; and economy and public welfare.

For more information, the Malaysian delegation was also attended by representatives of universities and institutions, including Universiti Utara Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and Malaysia Qualification Agency, who also discussed the potential for collaborative research and innovation.