Prof. DR. Ir. San Afri Awang, M.Sc.: ?Any kind of technology that is being developed, must refer to the cultural and norms in Indonesia?

That statement was delivered by Prof.DR. Ir.San Afri Awang,M.Sc., the Head of Research and Development Ministry of Environment and Forestry Republic of Indonesia, in an open lecture in front of participants of National Seminar of Science, Engineering, and Technology organized by Faculty of Science and Technology (FaST UPH), Wednesday, 6 June 2015 at UPH Karawaci.

That reference as stated in Nawacita or the nine priority agenda and Trisakti formulated by President Joko Widodo. ?Therefore, we can?t apply the savvy technology if it creates gap among the community. We can?t keep doing the same mistakes,? stated Awang.

According to Afri Awang, science and technology could help solving the issues faced by the nation, in which the issues of natural resources, environment, and forestry are increasing. In this context, there are overall three basic issues that must be resolved. Firstly, food and energy issues; Secondly, high population infected by URI (Upper Respiration Tract Infection) due to forest and land fires; Thirdly, high frequency of flood and landslide. Through strategic plan, the gap between ideal and real conditions are hopefully to be eliminated. The plans are, first, higher the electricity generation of 200MW through the usage of biofuels. We could not depend on fossils. The prediction in 2018 that we would face serious energy crisis especially electricity. Second, number of people with URI must decrease through the improvement of good air quality. Third, the impact of floods and landslides must be decreased through the elimination of the amount of garbages that enters the water body. Increase the water quality, conduct water conservation and reduce the critical area.

The activities distribution conducted by the government are related to the national priorities such as, combating illegal logging, illegal fishing and mining. The acceleration of national economy through the control of natural resources policy, support the food security, water, natural and energy resources, preservation of natural environment and flood management to reduce things that can be resolved.

Afri Awang emphasized that the condition indeeds required deep concern, therefore he urged the researchers from higher institution to go into the mining or critical areas and to conduct a research and could give suggestions to overcome. The natural resources must be managed with the right application of science and technology.

He also presented that the role of forest resources towards the need fulfillment of national energy. According to him, there are two forms of energy that can be capitalized in accordance with the science and technology development. First, biofuel can be extracted from fruits, seeds, rinds, and rod depends on the expertise level of the technology. Second, biomass to fulfill the electricity can be in the solid or chip form that can be linked with science and technology to drive the turbin.

Commented the discussion of Afri Awang, Dean of FaST UPH , Prof. Manlian stated that all government events are community-based. In the context of environment (quoted from Prof. Otto, environmental expert), there are three important things which are natural environment, built environment, and social environment. Related to the context, so government needs to consider those three elements related to the government?s efforts in exwecuting the programs throughout Indonesia regions which have different conditions of environments and natures. This must be applied in the policies of regional governmen. (rh)

Prof. Manlian and Prof. Awang was doing a press conference.

Testimony from Prof. Manlian:   Sustainable development includes five elements. First, human resource system. Here is the role of educational institution in which to prepare the human resources who are ready and perform good quality. Second, economic posture of Indonesia. The economic development of Indonesia is still low that can be seen through the lack of research funding. Therefore, this seminar hopefully could push the investment of research. Thirdly, the inflation is just around the corner, however I am optimistic that it can be handled. Fourth, the use of APBN is not that maximum, thus the higher institutions can contribute through the research outcomes in order to maximize the use of APBN. Fifth, related to the sustainable development, it must be related to independancy. However, for the development in each region in Indonesia to be prevalent, it must be integrated. Our hope, FaST could be a pioneer, companion, and motor for government.