Hilang Akal, Tumpul Kepekaan - Endgame Bersama @gwirjawan | Episode #120

Summary

The transcript discusses Indonesia's aspirations to become a G4 country by 2045, emphasizing the need for economic growth through solving global and local issues such as climate change and biodiversity. It highlights the importance of science communication and the role of Indonesian scientists in driving research and policy impact. The speaker calls for a cultural shift in valuing scientific contributions, improving incentives for academics, and leveraging the diaspora's potential to elevate Indonesia's global scientific standing.

Takeaways

• 🌏 Indonesia aspires to be a G4 country by 2045, which requires significant economic growth and capital accumulation.
• 📈 Economic growth is driven by solving relevant problems for the masses, with Indonesia having unique potential in areas like geothermal energy and biodiversity.
• 🌱 Indonesia has over 50% of the world's geothermal reserves and a rich biodiversity, which are scientific and interdisciplinary issues that could be leveraged for economic development.
• 🗣️ There is a need for better science communication in Indonesia to inform policy makers and stakeholders of the importance of scientific research and its impact on society.
• 🏛️ Academic metrics and promotion systems in Indonesia may not sufficiently encourage research that has real-world impact, unlike initiatives like the DORA agreements in the U.S. and UK.
• 🎓 Indonesian students studying abroad have decreased, which could impact the country's competitiveness and scientific development in the long run.
• 🧬 Science and interdisciplinary research in Indonesia need a strong narrative to connect with policy makers and to ensure that research is not just academic but has practical applications.
• 🔬 The lack of visibility and recognition of Indonesian scientists, even among the younger generation, indicates a need for promoting scientific role models.
• 💡 The script emphasizes the importance of scale in education and research, suggesting that the number of Indonesian students abroad could be a factor in the country's future scientific standing.
• 🌐 The potential of science diplomacy and the involvement of overseas researchers in shaping Indonesia's international scientific reputation and policy.
• 🔑 The necessity for Indonesia to improve its scientific infrastructure and facilities to retain and attract researchers, which is crucial for the country's scientific advancement and global competitiveness.

Q & A

What is Indonesia's goal by 2045 in terms of economic status?

Indonesia aims to become a G4 country by 2045, which is measured by GDP among other factors.

How does economic growth relate to solving problems according to the transcript?

Economic growth comes from solving problems, as it requires providing solutions relevant to many people.

What unique resources does Indonesia have that can contribute to solving global problems?

Indonesia has more than 50% of the world's geothermal reserves, a variety of languages, and the second highest biodiversity, which can be used to provide solutions to global problems like climate change and biodiversity.

Why is it important for scientists to communicate their findings effectively to policymakers and stakeholders?

Effective communication is crucial because without a good narrative from scientists, there is no incentive for academics and policymakers to allocate research in relevant directions.

What are some of the challenges faced by Indonesian academics in terms of recognition and incentives?

Indonesian academics face challenges such as a lack of incentives to engage in research that has a direct impact, and a system that previously prioritized metrics like citations and publication counts over actual impact.

How does the transcript suggest improving the recognition and impact of Indonesian research?

The transcript suggests that Indonesia should adopt practices like the DORA agreements, which focus on transferring research output to impact, and reward universities based on their impact.

What role does science communication play in increasing public and legislative interest in scientific issues?

Science communication is essential as it makes the public and legislature interested in scientific issues, which in turn influences policy and funding decisions.

Why is it important for Indonesia to have recognizable scientific figures like Brian Cox or Richard Dawkins in the UK?

Having recognizable scientific figures helps communicate the relevance of science to everyday people and can inspire a new generation of scientists and increase the country's recognition in the scientific community.

What is the significance of the game 'Endgame' mentioned in the transcript?

The game 'Endgame' is considered a potential game changer as it can provide broad and deep inspiration to the wider community by bridging the scientific domain with the public domain effectively.

What is the current state of Indonesian students studying abroad compared to other countries?

The number of Indonesian students studying in the United States has decreased from 16,000 in the 80s to 8,500 now, while countries like Turkey, Korea, India, and China have significantly increased their numbers.

How does the transcript suggest addressing the issue of brain drain and encouraging academics to contribute to Indonesia?

The transcript suggests that Indonesia should focus on allowing academics to grow abroad first, so they can bring back more substantial contributions, and improve the scale and facilities for research within the country.