On Monday, June 6, 2022, the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), Dede Djuhana, Ph.D., warmly welcomed the arrival of Dr. Matsui Minami from RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science in Meeting Room A, Dean’s Building, UI Campus, Depok.
The afternoon meeting was held to discuss research collaborations between the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI), and the Japanese research institutions Riken Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) and Riken Center for Advanced Photonics (RAP) in the fields of Mathematics, Biology, and Geography. The goal of this collaboration is to develop complex technologies to prevent and control leaf fall disease Pestalotiopsis on rubber trees through the SATREPS project (Science & Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) namely the Japanese technical cooperation scheme based on “Science and Technology Diplomacy” which was established in 2008.
The SATREPS project is supported and funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to facilitate research between Indonesian and Japanese researchers involved, with the project duration being five (5) years from the date the first JICA expert is dispatched to Indonesia or Kick-off Meeting. This research collaboration involved a team of lecturers and researchers, as well as students from the Departments of Geography, Mathematics, and Biology, and the Indonesian Rubber Research Institute (IRRI).
The activities of the SATREPS project in Indonesia this time include, among others, the development of candidate fungicidal compounds for rubber tree leaf fall disease (both chemical and biological), the creation of new clones of Hevea brasiliensis that show resistance to leaf fall disease, the establishment of a detection system for areas affected by rubber tree diseases through Artificial Intelligence (AI) image analysis using data obtained from artificial satellites and drones, as well as strengthening the foundation for research and development and the long-term practical application of relevant technologies.
In his remarks, Dede Djuhana, Ph.D., stated, “The SATREPS program supports the research policies at FMIPA and UI in general in an effort to improve research quality, produce outputs in reputable international journals and patents, as well as enhance multidisciplinary collaboration among researchers both domestically and internationally to address challenges related to global issues.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Matsui Minami stated, “This collaboration is expected to have a significant impact in solving the problem of leaf fall disease in rubber plantations in Indonesia. In addition, cooperation in human resource development in the form of research visits, training, and even Ph.D. programs in Japan is expected to be carried out in the near future, involving staff from Universitas Indonesia.”
Both parties hope that the results of the technology development will eventually be available throughout Indonesia and assist the government in tackling the rubber leaf fall outbreak affecting several areas in key production centers, so that global rubber production is expected to once again become abundant.
Also present at the meeting were Dr. rer. nat. Budiawan (Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs), Dr. Lukmanda Evan Lubis, M.Si. (Manager of Partnerships, Ventures, and Alumni Relations), Dr. Dipo Aldila, S.Si., M.Si. (Manager of Research and Community Engagement), Iqbal Putut Ash Shidiq, S.Si., M.Sc. (Head of the Undergraduate Geography Study Program), as well as several members of the FMIPA UI research team, including Dr. Retno Lestari, M.Si., Dr. Windri Handayani, M.Si., Prof. Alhadi Bustamam, M.Kom., Ph.D., Dr. Manessa Masita, and several other research staff.
