Media Release

12 June 2007

Joint Working Group Indonesia – Australia
Science and Innovation, Research and Technology

Officials from Australia and Indonesia have sought to open the way for further scientific innovations in areas such as fighting infectious disease, combating climate change and advancing nuclear safety in recent talks in Jakarta focused on advancing two-way scientific exchanges and cooperation.

The 7 June meeting of the Joint Working Group in Science, Innovation, Research and Technology (JWG SIRTAI) provided an opportunity for officials from both countries to take stock of both the broad range of existing collaboration between Indonesian and Australian science and technology systems and recent developments in science and technology policies and activities in both countries.

The JWG agreed, in particular, to enhance cooperation among researchers in both countries, initially in four areas:

• Human Health – including infectious disease;
• Agriculture and Food;
• Environment – including energy and climate change;
• Nuclear Science and Safety – including material testing and evaluation.

Australia and Indonesia also agreed to support a series of scientific workshops over the next two years. The workshops will be held in both countries, with the first on ‘Human Health – Infectious Diseases’ to be held in Indonesia in the first half of 2008.

Last week’s discussions were opened jointly by Australia’s Ambassador for Indonesia, Bill Farmer, and Indonesia’s Minister of Research and Technology, H.E. Kusmayanto Kadiman.

Joint Working Group meetings are conducted regularly to discuss, support and facilitate joint activities in science and technology involving researchers from both countries. The JWG is supported by Australia’s Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) and Indonesia’s Ministry of Research and Technology (RISTEK).

The Australian JWG delegation included: Ms Sara Cowan (DEST), Mr David Smith (DEST), Mr Con Lyra (Australian Nuclear Safety and Technology Organisation, ANSTO); Mr Mike Sargent (Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, ATSE), and Dr Shannon Smith (Counsellor for Education, Science and Training, Australian Embassy, Jakarta).

DEST, RISTEK and research organisations from the two countries will continue to explore means to support and enhance collaboration in science and technology, to build on the strong and growing ties between Australia and Indonesia.

Contact information:
Claudina Milawati, Policy Officer in Science and Technology
Australian Education International, Australian Embassy Jakarta
Phone: 2550 5409 or 081 118 1944