Chief Scientist meets with research and innovation leaders in Indonesia

As Cyprus increases its investment in Research & Development, with a focus on transforming translational research into innovative solutions and products that benefit society and the economy, Cyprus' Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides and the Ambassador of Cyprus in Indonesia, Nikos Panagiotou, engaged in strategic introductory meetings.

They met with key 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).

Dr Handoko hosted Skourides at the BRIN Headquarters. During the meeting, Skourides introduced Cyprus’ research and innovation ecosystem, highlighting the island's recent performance as strong innovator in the European innovation scoreboard for a 3rd consecutive year, and no. 27 on the Global innovation index, outlining that Cyprus is keen on strengthening its research excellence and innovation ecosystem.

Skourides referred to the National research and innovation strategy 2024-2026 developed by the Deputy Ministry of Digital Policy Research and Innovation which focuses on thematic areas including key digital technologies, energy, environment and climate change, agrifood, maritime, health and an space. Skourides explained that given the size of the Cypriot ecosystem, comprising of 3,500 researchers, 4,000 entrepreneurs, 500+ technology innovation companies and startups, 12 universities, 20 research organisations, and 7 centres of excellence, Cyprus is keen on collaborating with countries who view research as a fundamental tool supporting the transfer of knowledge to society leveraging the strong industrial base.

Dr Handoko welcomed Skourides and provided an overview of the importance Indonesia places on Research and Innovation, describing the Innovation ecosystem and how 12 Research organisations, and 87 research centres form the backbone of the ecosystem. Dr Handoko and Skourides exchanged best practices, also exchanging views on challenges and opportunities in the Research and Innovation ecosystems and agreed to explore further cooperation. Skourides highlighted that a research collaboration with Indonesia, has the potential to creates value for both research and innovation ecosystems future proofing them explaining that Indonesia’s strategy also focuses on developing an integrated electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, aiming to become one of the world’s top three producers of EV batteries by 2027.

As The Cypriot R&I ecosystem is developing its competencies, and innovation capacities, it is important that Research Centers who are focused on Energy collaborate with researchers from an industrial perspective. Such cooperations in research can lead to other opportunities where Cypriot innovation and R&D companies create solutions for the Energy-tech sector, preparing the country to better understand and leverage green energy.

In addition, the Chief scientist also said that given Cyprus’ strength in medical research and biotech research with organisations such as the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, BiobankCy, German Oncology and the private industry including Cypriot pharmaceutical companies, working with Indonesian Research and development Pharmaceutical organisations, which rely on strong research infrastructures and a science and technology park, can pave a way to accelerate both R&D development cycles and move from Lab to market faster.

Skourides said the sheer size of the Indonesian Pharmaceutical industry and its leadership in ASEAN, comprised of 241 drug manufacturing businesses, 17 pharmaceutical raw drug industries should be viewed as an enabler as we look to leverage AI to advance not only medicine, but predictive and prescriptive health solutions.

BRIN Deputy Chairman for Human Resources of Science and Technology Dr Edy Giri Rachman Putra and Head of Bureau for Legal and Cooperation Mila Kencana were also present at the meeting. The meeting was followed by a visit to BRIN’s Agriculture and Food science park and research organisation where Skourides and Ambassador Nicos Panayiotou were hosted by Head of Research Center for Horticultural and Estate Crops, Dr Dwinita Wikan Utami.

Skourides and Ambassador Panayiotou also had the opportunity to visit the Hi Incubator, and were hosted by Daniel Tumewu, CEO and Co-founder. The HII is a prominent Indonesian incubator offering a range of services to startups and innovation companies. Daniel Tumewu who hosted the meeting was very keen on understanding the attractiveness and maturity of the Cypriot Research and innovation ecosystem, and explained how the Incubator is working with worlds technology hubs in London, United kingdom and Munich, Germany. Demetris Skourides explained how the dynamics of the emerging technologies are re-shaping industries, and startups engage in innovation ecosystems, outlining the evolution of innovation ecosystems where research excellence, infrastructure excellence, commercialisation excellence and innovation excellence are becoming the game-changing capabilities that determine success. Skourides referred to the term as the 4E’s and explained that when innovative ecosystems act as an extension of each other, startups can operate across a unified environment with increased speed, agility and lower risk. Skourides said that a startup should have the possibility to test its minimally viable product across two distinct market simultaneously, product development efforts can leverage synergies and integrate them into a platform offering. Such capabilities not only increase the market size, they facilitate the route to market for startups, and minimise risk.

Skourides was also hosted by Chairman Ilham Habibie, and Dr Shinta Danuwardoyo, CEO and founder of Bubu.com, where he introduced Cyprus' vision 2035 and the research and innovation ecosystem. Dr Habibie expressed interest to pursue further discussions regarding the startup ecosystems in industries including Shiptech, Agrotech Healthtech with the two sides agreeing to follow up within the first quarter of 2025.

This strategic meetings between Cyprus Chief Scientist with key Indonesian research and innovation leaders mark a significant milestone in Cyprus efforts to enhance its Research & Development landscape. By partnering with Indonesia, Cyprus aims to leverage shared expertise and resources to accelerate the development of innovative solutions that benefit both societies. This collaboration not only strengthens Cyprus's position as a strong innovator on the global stage but also opens new avenues for economic growth and societal impact through cutting-edge research and technology. The insights and agreements from these meetings lay a robust foundation for future joint ventures, ensuring that both nations can navigate and thrive in the rapidly evolving global innovation ecosystem