REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Cooperation in science and technology between Australia and Indonesia took another important step forward today following the opening of the Indonesia Science Capacity Building Workshop in Jakarta, on Monday morning. The workshop will run from 19 to 30 November at PP-IPTEK, Jakarta.
The workshop is a joint initiative between Questacon, Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre, PP-IPTEK (the Science and Technology Center of Indonesia) and the San Francisco Exploratorium.
“Science education center play such an important role in broadening and deepening the public’s knowledge and understanding of science and technology and in encouraging young people to study science, maths and engineering – critical disciplines for a nation’s economic and social development,” Australian Deputy Head of Mission to Indonesia, Dr David Engel, who officially opened the workshop, said according to press statement from Australian Embassy obtained by Republika. “For Australia, collaboration with Asia in science and research will be an increasingly important part of our future."
Meanwhile, Director of PP-IPTEK, Dr Sukro Muhab, said the three-way collaboration would provide a great opportunity and benefit to improve the competence and skills of staff at science centres thoughout Indonesia in idea development and innovation, and to spread the use of science and technology to the people of Indonesia.
The workshop is the first phase of a proposed three-year capability development program. The program will give Indonesian science center staff valuable professional development opportunities both in Australia, at Questacon and the Australian National University, and with the Exploratorium in the United States.