VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Another three science technoparks will be set up in Indonesia this year to add to the already existing 18 parks, a top official of the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education said.

"This year, there are three more science technoparks planned," Secretary General of the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education Ainun Naim told journalists here Thursday.

The government has targeted the setting up of 100 science technoparks and they have been added to a list of prioritized national programs.

However, the target could not be achieved because of several factors including the lack of scientists who are essential for the development of these technoparks, he said.

In an effort to end that deadlock the ministry collaborated with public universities and non-ministerial agencies, such as the National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN) and the Indonesian Institute of Sciencies (LIPI), because they have the scientists, Naim said.

"With this collaboration, science technoparks can be developed at public universities," he said, adding that the ministry has introduced a "Research and Innovation in Science and Technology Project" in 2013.

In developing the science technoparks in the country, this "Riset Pro" is designed to support the products made in the parks for use by the people.

For instance, an electric scooter produced by the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), will immediately be sold in the domestic market, he said.

One of the Riset Pro components is improving the framework of innovation-related policies and revitalizing research institutions in the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), BATAN, LIPI, and the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), Naim said.

One of the science technoparks has been set up at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), ANTARA noted. Known as the IPB Science Techno Park, it helps  the innovation in tropical agriculture, foods, and bio-science.(ant)