The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has taken a strategic step to strengthen the nuclear research ecosystem in Indonesia by allocating a budget of USD 8 million to 10 million, equivalent to IDR 144 billion to IDR 180 billion. This major investment focuses on enhancing human resource quality so that Indonesia can master the utilization of nuclear technology for safe, peaceful, and sustainable purposes.
This program targets doctoral-level students through a 'Targeted Scholarship' scheme specifically designed in collaboration with the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP). Deputy for Science and Technology Human Resources at BRIN, Edi Giri Rachman Putera, revealed that his team aims to send 200 students to various world-class universities. Tsinghua University in China is one of the main destinations for young researchers to specialize in engineering physics, reactor technology, and accelerator technology.
In addition to degree scholarships, BRIN is also opening avenues for international mobility that enable direct research collaboration at global research centers. One flagship initiative is a six-month research program at CERN in Switzerland, where students can conduct research whose results can be converted into their final degree thesis.
On the other hand, the strengthening of educational networks is also expanded through the China-Indonesia Belt and Road Joint Laboratory collaboration. Through this scheme, the government hopes that lecturers, researchers, and universities in Indonesia will become increasingly integrated into the global research ecosystem. This step is seen as a key factor in building competitive national nuclear technology independence in the future.
