iBoP Asia as one implementation example

of pro-poor sci-tech research program

Recently, innovation word becomes a popular word when relating to technology in Indonesia. As today’s Indonesia President, Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited AIPI (Academy of Knowledge Indonesia) in Serpong-Banten Province January 20, 2010.

Among the attendees, were the third Indonesia President, Prof. B.J. Habibie, US Ambassador for Indonesia, Chairman of Indonesia Research Council (DRN).

SBY welcome US Presiden Barack Obama’s idea through Cameron Hume, US Ambassador for Indonesia to improve bilateral cooperation in research focusing on science and technology, education, energy, and climate change.

In one of technology programs SBY mentioned first, Indonesian Scientists must develop pro-poor technology, besides green technology, agricultural, industry, health, maritime, defense, and future technologies.

SBY wants Indonesia to be the Innovation Nation, home to creative and innovative technology. And to build innovations need also to spring enterpreneurships and networking among Indonesia scientists, government actors, and businessmen with institutions and universities around the globe.

Realizing to the Millennium Development Goals, Government Program and one of DRN missions, it is the time also for DRN to open cooperation with international actors in the fields.

In line with the theme on innovation for the poor and international cooperation, DRN has been in partnership with iBoP Asia Project (Innovations for the Base of the Pyramid) to promote science & technology research that is dedicated to poverty alleviation especially in Indonesia. Realizing that almost half of the country’s population still live below poverty line (defined as earning below 4 USD/day), the DRN secretary takes the program a positive and inspiring example for special theme grant selection and has been actively involved in the project since 2006 as the Project Advisory Committee (PAC). And for period 2009-2010, she has also been chosen to be the chairman of PAC.

2009 iBoP Selection and Indonesian Researchers

The 2^nd year for iBoP Selection has been run in 2009. Indonesian researchers had the opportunity to win the grant among other southeast asian researchers. 3 out of 12 total grantees of 2009 Selection were from Indonesia. Please visit www.ibop-asia.net for information on complete grantees.

This has been a significant increase from its previous year’s selection. For information, in 2008 only one Indonesia team received the research grant. This would also mean campaign need to be more sounded to know that more Indonesian researchers are concerned on doing pro-poor researches using innovative science & technology approach to help their own brothers and sisters escape from poverty.

For this purpose, iBoP Asia with DRN dealt an intense cooperation with the presence of iBoP Indonesia as the gate for iBoP Asia information and participations for and from Indonesia researches and audiences. iBoP Indonesia giving info through newsletter and particularized website in DRN website (soon to be realized).

Again, this is only one of DRN practial efforts among other 8 president directions on Science and Technology Development in Indonesia. In the meantime, in the future more relevant actions need to be taken for Indonesia betterment through innovations, science and technology. (-TDS-)