Jakarta: Cyprus Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides, along with the Ambassador of Cyprus in Indonesia, Nikos Panagiotou, conducted a series of pivotal meetings in Jakarta, aiming to bolster collaborative efforts in research and innovation, as stated in an official press release.
According to Cyprus News Agency, these meetings involved interactions with prominent figures such as Dr. Laksana Tri Handoko, Chairman of the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Daniel Tumewu, CEO and Co-founder of HI Incubator, Dr. Ilham A. Habibie, Chief Executive of the National ICT Council, and Shinta Danuwardoyo, Head of the Permanent Committee for Digital Business, e-Commerce, and Startups Development at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Indonesia (KADIN).
During the discussions at BRIN Headquarters, Skourides highlighted Cyprus’ research and innovation ecosystem, emphasizing its consistent performance as a strong innovator in the European innovation scoreboard and its ranking on the Global Innova
tion Index. He underscored Cyprus’ commitment to enhancing its research excellence and innovation ecosystem through the National Research and Innovation Strategy 2024-2026, which focuses on areas such as digital technologies, energy, climate change, and health.
Dr. Handoko welcomed the exchange of best practices and insights between the two nations’ research ecosystems. Both parties agreed to explore further cooperation, recognizing the potential value that collaboration could bring to both Cyprus and Indonesia. Skourides noted Indonesia’s aspirations in developing an integrated electric vehicle supply chain, aiming to be a top producer of EV batteries by 2027, and expressed the importance of energy-focused research collaborations.
The discussions also covered potential collaborations in medical research and biotechnology, leveraging the strengths of Cypriot research organizations and Indonesian pharmaceutical entities. Skourides pointed out the significant size of the Indonesian pharmaceutical industry as
a potential enabler for advancing medicine and health solutions through AI.
The meetings were followed by a visit to BRIN’s Agriculture and Food Science Park. Skourides and Panayiotou also engaged with the Hi Incubator, discussing the dynamics of emerging technologies and the role of innovation ecosystems in reshaping industries. Skourides introduced the concept of the 4E’s-research excellence, infrastructure excellence, commercialization excellence, and innovation excellence-highlighting their importance in creating successful innovation ecosystems.
Further meetings with industry leaders, including Ilham Habibie and Dr. Shinta Danuwardoyo, explored opportunities in sectors such as Shiptech, Agrotech, and Healthtech. The discussions laid the groundwork for continued dialogue and potential collaborations in the near future.
The strategic meetings are seen as a significant milestone in Cyprus’ efforts to enhance its research and development landscape. By partnering with Indonesia, Cyprus aims to leverage sha
red expertise and resources to accelerate innovative solutions benefiting both societies. This collaboration not only strengthens Cyprus’ position as a global innovator but also opens new avenues for economic growth and societal impact through cutting-edge research and technology. The insights and agreements from these meetings establish a solid foundation for future joint ventures, ensuring that both nations can thrive in the rapidly evolving global innovation ecosystem.