The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and Rosatom, together with two prominent Russian universities, organize the 2024 Nuclear Young Talent Fest in Indonesia to prepare local nuclear science and technology talents.
The utilization of nuclear technology in Indonesia began 70 years ago. In 1954, President Sukarno established a committee to study the effects of radioactivity and the utilization of nuclear energy. In 1964, the National Atomic Energy Agency (BATAN) was created to build the first research nuclear reactor in the Asia-Pacific region.
Currently, Indonesia has three research reactors dedicated to nuclear fuel research, neutron radiography, neutron activation analysis, neutron beam research, nuclear specialist training, and radioisotope production. The Bandung Reactor in West Java, established in 1965, has a power capacity of 2 MWth; the Kartini Reactor in Yogyakarta, operating since 1979, has a capacity of 100 KWth; and the G. A. Siwabessy Reactor in Serpong, South Tangerang, operating since 1987, has a capacity of 30 MWth.
Nuclear power has enormous potential for both energy and non-energy uses in Indonesia. According to the BATAN 2020 study, Indonesia has 81,090 tons of uranium and 140,411 tons of thorium. However, current nuclear development is mainly geared toward radioisotope production, as well as food and health research. The development of nuclear power plants (PLTN) has also been included in the revision of Government Regulation No. 79 of 2014 on National Energy Policy, with a draft of the new government regulation (RPP) due to be completed this year.
Since the establishment of BRIN, nuclear research and development have been integrated. One effort involves BRIN collaborating with Russia's Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation to develop radioisotope and radiopharmaceutical production technologies. This was discussed during the 2nd Joint Working Group Meeting on Non-Energy Nuclear Technology Applications at the BJ Habibie Science and Technology Area, South Tangerang, Banten, on 9 October 2024.
“We hope our partnership with Rosatom will accelerate technology development in radioisotope production, particularly in reactor- and accelerator-based methods,” said Tita Puspitasari, Head of BRIN’s Center for Radioisotope Technology, Radiopharmaceuticals, and Biodosimetry Research (PRTRRB), as quoted on BRIN’s website on Monday (13 October).
BRIN also focuses on non-energy nuclear applications, particularly in health, agriculture, and food. “BRIN has a large program in health technology for radioisotope and radiopharmaceutical production, especially for diagnostics and cancer therapy,” stated Rohadi Awaludin, PRTRRB Lead Expert Researcher at BRIN.
Indonesia has been a pioneer in nuclear technology utilization, particularly in developing high-yield rice varieties. The Indonesian Plant Food Breeding Research Group (PAIR), in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has developed 23 new rice varieties.
Indonesia’s efforts were appreciated by the international community, resulting in two FAO/IAEA Outstanding Achievement Awards in 2014 and 2021.
Therefore, this collaboration with Rosatom aims to explore concrete matters in the field of nuclear utilization in non-energy fields, such as health and food. Rosatom, the world’s leading nuclear technology developer, has over 70 years of experience in peaceful nuclear development.
Meanwhile, Anna Belokoneva, Head of Rosatom Indonesia Regional Office, explained Russia’s nuclear technologies, which include agricultural and medical applications. She mentioned several topics for further and more detailed collaboration
"We have presented our nuclear technologies for agriculture and medicine, including additive technologies, decommissioning, and waste management for research reactors," Anna explained.
Boris Arseev from Rosatom’s international business division expressed confidence that their technology and solutions may significantly benefit Indonesia and stated a desire for further collaboration in nuclear technology applications.
This cooperation builds on an agreement between Indonesia and Russia signed on 1 December 2006 for peaceful nuclear energy applications.
Developing Talent
BRIN and Rosatom, together with two prominent Russian universities, organize the 2024 Nuclear Young Talent Fest in Indonesia to prepare local nuclear science and technology talents.
The event will be held from 14 to 15 October at the A. Baiquni Science and Education Area (KSE) in Yogyakarta and on 17 October at the BJ Habibie Science and Technology Area (KST) in Serpong, South Tangerang, Banten, with the theme “Promotion and Development of Nuclear Higher Education Programs.”
According to Edy Giri Rachman Putra, BRIN’s Deputy for Human Resources in Science and Technology, the event also aims to connect Indonesian research and innovation talent with Russian universities and research institutions. “Currently, there is a collaboration between BRIN and Tomsk Polytechnic University for the Degree by Research (DbR) program. Four Doctorate (S3) and one Master’s (S2) student are studying in Russia under this scheme, and the second phase of the DbR program is being opened,” he said.
Besides the DbR program, BRIN also offers joint research visits, postdoctoral, visiting researcher, or professor programs to support Indonesian students, faculty, and researchers in Russia and facilitate Russian researchers in Indonesia. Additionally, Doctoral Program Scholarships for National Research Talent are offered through a partnership with the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP).
Writer: Kristantyo Wisnubroto
Editors: Ratna Nuraini/Taofiq Rauf/Siti Chodijah
Translator: Ratna Puspa Merdika
