AUSTRALIA

Digital Transformation

• The ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society published “United against algorithms: A primer on disability-led struggles against algorithmic injustice”.
• Minister Leigh issued an op-ed: ‘Government getting high-quality results from AI’.
• STA issued a submission to a Senate inquiry into developing tech sector sovereign capability.
• Standards Australia issued ‘Smart Cities: An Essential Enabler for Australia’s Future’
• The Parliamentary Library issued ‘The Digital Government Index: How does Australia measure up?’

Energy

• Minister Ayres issued an op-ed on cooperation with ASEAN countries on green energy projects. Full Text here.
• The Lowy Institute issued “Economic diplomacy: Made in Australia with new energy”, commenting on the Prime Minister’s recent ‘Future Made in Australia’ industry speech.
• The Lowy Institute issued “Great powers vs domestic politics: The clean energy trade-off”
• The Institute for Sustainable Futures issued a report on industry opportunities for Australia to embrace the clean energy revolution, entitled “Towards a renewable energy superpower”
• CEDA issued ‘Making net zero a reality’ by Fortescue director Marshall.

Climate

• The Academy of Science issued an opening statement to today’s hearing for a Senate inquiry into extinctions.  
• The Climate Council issued ‘Key climate outcomes we need in new nature laws’.

Knowledge to Policy

• The OECD released a publication on the structures and skills for better evidence use in education policy

Knowledge to Innovation

• CSIRO released “Responsible Innovation at CSIRO”, detailing their approach to designing and delivering impactful research.
• ATSE announced its 2024 Industry Mentoring Network in STEM appointees.

Research News

• The Association of Asian Social Science Research Councils (AASSREC) opened applications for a mentoring initiative, supporting social science researchers in the Asia-Pacific
• Registrations for the ASAA 2024 Conference will close on 30 April. Registration found here.  

INDONESIA

Research and Technology

• Director-General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology Abdul Haris said they will strive to close the gap between universities in Indonesia so that the best campuses can collaborate on research with foreign universities.

Research and Innovation

• BRIN, through the Radiation Process Technology Research Centre (PRTPR) and the Research Centre for Radioisotope, Radiopharmaceuticals, and Bio-dosimetry Technologies (PRTRRB), is developing locally sourced Hydroxyapatite-Zirconium (Zr-Doped HAp) nanoparticles for photodynamic therapy of lung cancer.
• Students from Pondok Pesantren Baron developed a new wind turbine design and Remin, a sustainable and effective wind brake system, with the government and the local community.

Research and Funding

• The Indonesian Educational Fund Management Agency (LPDP) collaborated with the University of Science & Technology (UST) South Korea to offer master’s and doctoral scholarships in digital, renewable energy, blue economy, and biotechnology.
• The Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) programme by the Ministry of Education and Culture, Research and Technology has awarded grant funding to Universitas Pembangunan Jaya (UPJ) for boosting the quality of lecturers and students in the Visual Communication Design (DKV) programme, fostering strategic collaboration with the business and industrial world (DUDI).

Environment and Climate Change (ECC)

• BRIN and PT Sahabat Nusantara Teknologi Inovasi (SANTI) are developing downstream industrial technology for biomethane, a biofuel from agricultural and plantation waste. This collaboration shares knowledge, resources, and efforts to create the best and most sustainable solutions.
• The thickness of the ice cover on Puncak Jayawijaya, Papua, has decreased by about four metres, likely due to El Nino conditions from 2022 to 2023. BMKG stressed the necessity of planting trees, recycling plastic, transitioning to green energy, conserving fuel, and saving electricity to mitigate climate change.
• BRIN is developing a portable biosensor for detecting viruses and environmental pollution. The advantages of this device include portability, ease of operation, no need for backup supply, and integration with the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning.
• The Ministry of National Development Planning promoted research and implementable technology development for waste management reforms. The ministry collaborated with Danone to handle bottle waste and the German government to provide a pyrolysis machine for trash processing on Belitung Island.
• A Researcher from the Analytical Chemistry Research Group at the Centre for Advanced Chemistry Research of BRIN, Hafiizh Prasetia, is developing the Rain Garden system concept to support environmental sustainability and circular economy principles implementation.
• The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology will collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture to develop the MBKM programme related to food security and energy.
• BMKG warns of rising sea levels in Indonesia estimated at 0.8-1.2 centimetres per year due to climate change, a significant concern leading to the disappearance of several small islands and coastal areas.

Updates supported by Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA)