An event that brought Australian and Indonesian scientists and other stakeholders together in late November has broadened the opportunities for continuing connections between the two countries.
The inaugural Australia–Indonesia Science Symposium at the Shine Dome in Canberra promoted scientific collaboration between Australia and Indonesia by enhancing scientific cooperation and exchange, and strengthening people-to-people links between the two countries.
The event was organised following a visit in June of a high-level Indonesian delegation led by the President of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences, Professor Sangkot Marzuki.
The symposium themes were health, marine science and climate change, and agriculture. An overarching theme was the uses and transformative potential of big data and other emerging technologies.
The themes were further explored in workshops co-convened by Academy Fellows Dr Jim Peacock AC FAA FTSE FRS, Dr TJ Higgins AO FAA FTSE, Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg FAA and Professor David Cooper AO FAA. Together with their Indonesian counterparts, the convenors put together a program which allowed for in-depth exchanges between Australian and Indonesian scientists working on questions of common concern.
As well as members of the Australian and Indonesian scientific academies, the symposium brought together early- and mid-career researchers and representatives of government agencies and private sector partners. In addition to the workshop topics, participants also explored opportunities for government and private sector funding, discussed career pathways in science, and examined the challenges in linking science to policy in both countries.
The symposium was jointly organised by the Academy, the Indonesian Academy of Sciences, the Australian Early- and Mid-Career Researcher Forum, and the Indonesian Young Academy of Science with the support of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Knowledge Sector Initiative.
© 2024 Australian Academy of Science
