Two lecturers from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), have successfully secured funding under PHC Nusantara 2026, a collaborative research grant program between the Government of Indonesia through the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (KEMDIKTISAINTEK) and the Government of France through MEAE/MESR.
The two funding recipients are Dr. sc. hum. Deni Hardiansyah, S.Pd., M.Si. from the Department of Physics and Munawar Khalil, S.Si., M.Eng.Sc., Ph.D. from the Department of Chemistry. The PHC Nusantara program itself aims to promote innovative international research collaboration with global impact, while also strengthening researcher mobility and national research capacity.
Strict Selection, International Competition
The announcement of the funding recipients was made by the Directorate General of Research and Development, KEMDIKTISAINTEK, through the Directorate of Research and Community Service (DPPM), based on the results of a joint Indonesia–France committee meeting held on March 31, 2026.
Out of a total of 72 proposals submitted nationwide, only 15 were successfully awarded funding. Three of them came from the University of Indonesia, underscoring the institution’s research competitiveness at the global level.
Research by Dr. Deni Hardiansyah: Toward More Precise Cancer Therapy
Through his research titled Patient-Specific Molecular Radiotherapy Dosimetry, Dr. Deni Hardiansyah develops a radiotherapy dosimetry approach that focuses on individual patient characteristics, supported by the OpenDose3D software. This approach is expected to improve the precision of cancer therapy while minimizing side effects.
He emphasized that this research is highly urgent, particularly in the Indonesian context. “The urgency is very high, because in Indonesia there is currently no software available for planning cancer therapy based on radioactive materials. OpenDose3D is a free software developed by an international consortium and can be accessed by hospitals in Indonesia,” he said.
Compared to conventional methods, OpenDose3D offers several important advantages. In addition to being open-source, the tool has integrated advanced therapy planning methods. “One of its key features is automatic mathematical modeling that can accurately determine the best model of radioactive material movement within a patient’s body. This feature is not even necessarily available in commercial software,” he explained.
This research also involves international collaboration. The French partner contributes to the development of the software as well as the provision of data for the validation process. In addition, the study will implement a simplified therapy approach based on single radionuclide imaging, supported by population modeling and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
The targeted outputs include further development of OpenDose3D, scientific publications, and clinical implementation in Indonesia. The research is planned to run from mid-2026 to 2029, starting with the refinement of the research plan and submission of ethical approval for the use of patient data in France.
In its implementation, Dr. Deni collaborates with researchers from Montpellier, France, in the development of radiotherapy dosimetry and biological modeling. This collaboration is also supported by partners from the University of Ulm, Germany, who contribute to strengthening mathematical modeling and validation based on clinical data.
Munawar Khalil, Ph.D.: CO₂ Conversion for Environmental Solutions
In the field of sustainable chemistry, Munawar Khalil, Ph.D. leads a research project titled Indonesia-France Research Alliance on CO₂ Conversion (INFRACO₂) which focuses on converting carbon dioxide into value-added products.
According to him, the CO₂ issue is highly urgent for Indonesia.
“Reducing CO₂ emissions is very important to mitigate the impacts of climate change while also maintaining energy resilience. In addition to reducing the use of fossil energy, we also need technologies that can convert CO₂ into value-added products,” he explained.
This research utilizes technology that electrochemical CO₂ reduction (eCO₂RR), which is capable of converting CO₂ into fuels and chemical products. This approach is supported by the development of next-generation catalysts as well as theoretical simulations to gain a deeper understanding of reaction mechanisms.
The contribution of this research is not only in reducing carbon emissions, but also in developing the concept of a circular carbon economy.
“We want to turn CO₂ not merely into waste, but into a resource for producing fuels and high-value chemicals,” he added.
In the division of roles, the Indonesian team will focus on catalyst synthesis and characterization as well as electrochemical testing, while the French partner from ENS Lyon will handle theoretical modeling and electronic structure analysis.
The targeted outputs include the development of new materials and catalysts, reputable scientific publications, and opportunities for more efficient and applicable technology development. The research is scheduled to begin in 2026 and will be conducted at the University of Indonesia, BRIN, and ENS de Lyon.
Appreciation and Strengthening of Collaboration
The Dean of FMIPA UI, Prof. Dr. Tito Latif Indra, M.Si., expressed appreciation for the achievement.
“This achievement shows that the research strength of FMIPA UI lies not only in its academic quality, but also in its ability to address real-world problems. Our research does not stop in the laboratory; it is designed to be applied and provide broad benefits,” said Prof. Tito.
This achievement underscores the strategic role of FMIPA UI in the international research network. The PHC Nusantara 2026 program also serves as an important instrument to expand global collaboration and encourage the emergence of innovations with broad societal impact.
“Collaboration is important because it positions Indonesian researchers as equal partners in global knowledge production. We are not only users of technology, but also help design solutions that are relevant to the world,” he added.
