By Cyprus is deepening its commitment to global research and development through strategic partnerships, with the Chief Scientist, Demetris Skourides, leading a series of high-profile meetings in Indonesia. Focused on turning research into practical, innovative solutions, Cyprus is now positioning itself for a new chapter in international cooperation.
These discussions, initiated by Cyprus’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Nikos Panagiotou, brought together key figures in Indonesian innovation, including Dr. Laksana Tri Handoko, Chairman of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and Dr. Ilham A. Habibie, Chief Executive of the National ICT Council. The agenda? To explore potential collaborations that will unlock fresh pathways for innovation in energy, healthcare, digital technology, and beyond.
A New Era of Research Collaboration
The meetings kicked off with a visit to BRIN’s headquarters, where Cyprus’s Chief Scientist, Mr. Skourides, presented an overview of Cyprus’s research and innovation landscape. Despite its small size, Cyprus has emerged as a formidable innovator, ranking 27th globally on the Innovation Index and securing a top position on Europe’s innovation scoreboard for the third consecutive year.
Skourides stressed Cyprus’s ambition to enhance its research capacity by nurturing an ecosystem that includes over 3,500 researchers, 4,000 entrepreneurs, and more than 500 tech startups. With a robust base of 12 universities, 20 research organisations, and 7 centres of excellence, Cyprus is looking to expand collaborations with countries that view research as a vital tool for societal and economic progress.
On the other hand, Indonesia’s research and innovation framework is equally impressive. With 12 research organisations and 87 research centres forming the backbone of the national ecosystem, Indonesia is investing heavily in areas like energy, digital technologies, and e-commerce. In the meeting, Dr. Handoko expressed Indonesia’s commitment to these sectors, particularly emphasizing their ambitious goal to become a top player in electric vehicle (EV) battery production by 2027.
Key Areas for Synergy: Energy, Biotech, and Digital Innovation
Cyprus’s national research strategy, set for the period 2024-2026, is deeply aligned with the global challenges of energy transition, health innovation, and digital transformation. Skourides pointed out that these strategic areas provide a rich opportunity for collaboration with Indonesia, especially as both countries aim to accelerate innovation in critical fields.
Energy technology is one of the standout areas where Cyprus’s researchers are making strides. With a focus on green energy solutions, Cyprus sees immense potential in working with Indonesia’s industrial sectors to innovate energy solutions that can help combat climate change. This collaboration would position both nations at the forefront of sustainable energy research, preparing them to meet future global energy demands.
Meanwhile, Cyprus’s expertise in medical research was highlighted, particularly in biotech and pharmaceuticals. Cyprus’s key research organisations such as the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, BiobankCy, and German Oncology are well-regarded for their research infrastructure. Skourides proposed that a partnership with Indonesia’s pharmaceutical industry—comprising 241 drug manufacturers and 17 pharmaceutical raw drug industries—could accelerate R&D development cycles and bring innovations to market faster.
This synergy would enable both nations to not only address pressing healthcare needs but also pioneer the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in advancing health solutions, from predictive analytics to prescriptive medicine.
Strengthening the Innovation Ecosystem for Startups
Further expanding the dialogue, Skourides and Ambassador Panagiotou visited the Hi Incubator, a leading Indonesian startup hub, where they met with CEO Daniel Tumewu. This visit underscored the importance of creating interconnected ecosystems that promote innovation at all stages—research, commercialization, and scaling.
In his discussion, Skourides introduced the concept of the “4Es” (Excellence in Research, Innovation, Infrastructure, and Commercialization). He outlined how cross-border cooperation between ecosystems—like those in Cyprus and Indonesia—could lower startup risk and increase speed to market. By testing products in two distinct markets simultaneously, startups can leverage synergies and gain access to broader consumer bases, which not only increases growth potential but also accelerates innovation cycles.
Such cooperation is especially valuable for early-stage companies, allowing them to tap into international networks and expand their offerings across global markets.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for R&D Cooperation
The potential outcomes from these high-level discussions are far-reaching. From energy-tech to health-tech and digital transformation, Cyprus and Indonesia’s shared commitment to fostering R&D could lay the groundwork for new technological advancements with global implications.
In meetings with Dr. Shinta Danuwardoyo, Head of Indonesia’s Permanent Committee for Digital Business, and Bubu.com CEO Dr. Ilham A. Habibie, it was agreed that future conversations would continue around emerging sectors such as Agrotech, Shiptech, and Healthtech. Both sides are keen to explore how the startup ecosystems in both countries can complement each other, particularly through joint ventures that leverage both nations’ strengths.
The formal discussions concluded with an agreement to follow up on potential collaboration initiatives within the first quarter of 2025. This timeline marks the beginning of what could be a transformative period for both countries’ R&D landscapes.
Cyprus and Indonesia: Forging a Partnership for Tomorrow
As Cyprus continues to strengthen its research and innovation infrastructure, its partnership with Indonesia will likely become a cornerstone of its strategy to lead in global innovation. The discussions held in Indonesia are a promising step towards achieving this goal, laying the foundation for mutually beneficial partnerships that can generate solutions for global challenges. The coming years are sure to witness the blossoming of this exciting international collaboration, with both countries poised to make a significant impact on the world stage.