AUSTRALIA

Climate change 

• Scientists from UNSW Sydney reveal biases in the field of coral reef research, with researchers from reef countries such as Indonesia are underrepresented. 

• Agrifutures announced project: ‘Equipping Australian agriculture with sustainability metrics’. 

• ClimateWorks issued a piece on nature-based solutions to climate change and COP28. 

• The IEA issued ‘Large consumers can help drive the clean energy transition – but they need better data’. 

• ABC News reports on: the rush for electric vehicles is changing lives for better and worse in Indonesia’s nickel industry

• Briefing note: Government leadership on net zero

Innovation 

• The second allocation of successful Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) Seed projects have now been released on the Department of Education website. For this second allocation, more than $5.4 million will support 24 projects, comprising of: 9 projects in agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors; 11 projects in resources; 2 projects in renewables and low emission technology; and 2 projects in medical science. AEA is investing in research translation and commercialisation in the NRF’s priority areas which are designed to drive investment in key sectors, focusing on value adding and capability development to leverage Australia’s natural and competitive strengths.

• The PM addressed an Australian Innovation Showcase in Washington. This visit also saw a Joint Leaders’ Innovation Alliance statement, noted by Go8 and UA. 

GEDSI 

• The Actuaries institute issued ‘Not A Level Playing Field – People with Disability’. 

• Ministers Burney and Rowland issued a report from the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group. 

• The Lowy issued a podcast: ‘Why Claudia Goldin’s Nobel win isn’t just about women in economics’. 

• Report – Centre of Excellence in Disability and Health: Impact Evaluation report 2016-2022. Messages for action to improve the social and health outcomes for people with disability. 

Research sector 

• Ministers Clare and Husic announced $650m for 80 Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy grants. 

• Chief Scientist Foley has discussed ‘A time to commit: Making the most of Australia’s strengths in the new economy’ in a speech. 

INDONESIA

Research and Technology

• The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has conveyed the need for a bamboo product development strategy in Indonesia.
• BRIN is the only government institution that manages three nuclear reactors in Serpong, Bandung, and Yogyakarta.
• BRIN stated that geothermal energy in Indonesia has the potential to generate up to 24 gigawatts of electricity.
• BRIN stated that the radioactive carbon 14 of nuclear radiation can determine the age of water.
• BRIN is developing rapid detection and authentication technology for halal products, product substitutions for halal assurance, and exploring marine resources for food.
• The Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) encourages all parties to actively advocate for and strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Indonesia using AI.
• Students from the State University of Surabaya are researching the effectiveness of playing mattresses for children to increase disaster awareness in early childhood.

Research and Funding

• The government, through the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) program, can develop an Internationalization of the Indonesian Language program by providing research grants and scholarships to foreign students who are studying “Indonesian Studies” at overseas campuses.
• Presidential and vice-presidential candidates Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin Iskandar plan to promote innovative financing for renewable energy sources (EBT) using various approaches and establish a resource endowment fund funded by natural resource revenues for EBT research.
• Until 2023, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology stated that 79 vocational colleges have participated in the Competitive Fund program.
• The registration for the 2^nd Batch of the Indonesian Education Scholarship is open for lecturers pursuing PhD studies. This program is the collaboration of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology and the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP).

Research and Innovation

• BRIN suggested strengthening the Regional Research and Innovation Planning Agency (Bapperida) for the regional research and innovation ecosystem to increase regional and national competitiveness.
• BRIN stated that breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) can be a rice substitute in Indonesia.
• BRIN developing the Object Detection Technology for Environmental and Traffic Monitoring using machine learning concepts.

Research and Disabilities

• Based on their research, the National Commission on Disabilities (KND) explained that the media plays a crucial role in eliminating stigmatisation and overrepresentation of people with disabilities and also influences policy decision-making.

Research and Women

• The Indonesian Film Producers Association (Aprofi) has launched a Guide for the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence in Film Production, taking reference from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Regulation No 30/2021 on the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence (PPKS) in Higher Education Institutions.

Environment and Climate Change (ECC)

• BRIN stated sorghum and corn can be alternative food commodities to address and adapt to rising temperatures due to climate change which leads to plant extinction.
• BRIN stated gamma-ray irradiation technology is usable to enhance national food resilience to face climate change.
• The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) and BRIN found an increase in peatland fires in seven priority provinces for peatland restoration this year due to the El Nino phenomenon.
• The first High-Level Meeting of the Archipelagic and Islands States (AIS) Forum concluded in Bali with the Leader’s Declaration agreed on four key priority areas.

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Updates supported by Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA)