Research fund finds few takers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government has allocated a total of Rp 550
\nbillion for scientific research over the next five years, but
\nbarely a fifth of the amount has been committed.<\/p>\n
Pratiwi Sudharmono, a senior microbiologist of the University
\nof Indonesia, blamed this on the lack of quality research
\nproposals.<\/p>\n
Prawiti said research studies have managed to obtain only Rp
\n30 billion from the huge available research fund held by the
\nNational Development Planning Board (Bappenas).<\/p>\n
\"We should be able to get more than that,\" Pratiwi said at a
\nseminar on biotechnology and the environment.<\/p>\n
Bappenas has imposed strict criteria on scientific research it
\nis willing to finance, and has drawn up a list of area
\npriorities, including biotechnology, chemical, fishery, forestry,
\nelectronics and pharmaceutical industries.<\/p>\n
\"Many research proposals have simply failed to meet the
\nrequired standards for funding,\" Prawiti said.<\/p>\n
She said poor communication between the various research
\ninstitutes has led to overlapping work. \"For example, the
\nUniversity of Indonesia has been conducting research on bacillus
\nwhile other agencies are doing the same thing. That's a waste.\"<\/p>\n
The development of biotechnology in Indonesia is coordinated
\nby a special committee which has decided on a number of programs
\nincluding antibiotics, vaccines, diagnostic and rice. (prs)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/research-fund-finds-few-takers-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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