To conclude the forum, participants were once again split into several smaller groups to discuss what actions need to be taken to affirm our commitment to the Australia-Indonesia relationship and to actualise the recommendations that had been made over the two days. It was an illuminating exercise which provided many useful suggestions to take forward the goodwill developed through the forum and ensure we continue discussions into the future.
The groups were asked to consider what actions could by each of the following stakeholders:
Indonesian Government;
Australian Government;
Indonesian universities;
Australian universities;
Indonesian peak bodies; and
Australian peak bodies.
Though some recommendations for action will require extra resourcing and financial commitment, most participants noted practical and easy to implement approaches that have the potential to significantly impact on future collaboration, particularly at the institutional level.
The recommendations are considered below, grouped by stakeholder.
Government
Most groups considered that the best way to improve collaboration between Indonesia and Australia was to increase funding for research, but understood the unlikelihood of this scenario given the current fiscal environment in both countries. As previously noted in this report, participants felt that an alternative to increasing the total pool of funding was to look at ways to utilise existing funding sources and direct them to specific priorities, such as proposals for Australia-Indonesia research projects. Participants pointed to examples, such as the Australian Government’s India and China Research Funds, which are used to support research with priority regions. Specifically directed at the Indonesian Government, participants noted that a regulation could be enforced which ties funding to international collaboration to encourage researchers to improve their international relationships.
Increasing funding was not the only option considered for Governments. A theme that was continually raised over the two days of the forum was the need for regulatory reform, to streamline the procedures for research collaboration. This included simplifying the researcher visa arrangements, improving the transparency of research grant guidelines, providing more realistic timeframes for research grants, increasing the autonomy of universities in managing their research activities, and simplifying grant reporting mechanisms. Many of these actions will require continued lobbying from institutions and peak bodies to ensure that adequate policy setting which balance quality, risk and regulation are found. However, in working together our sectors can reach an optimal arrangement that will benefit both Indonesia and Australia in regards to research collaboration.
More realistic initiatives that have the potential to improve cooperation and can be readily achieved by both Governments were related to increasing networks between Australian and Indonesian researchers. One group floated the idea of the Indonesian Government creating an English language version of the SIMLITABMAS website, which includes a database of research profiles. This would provide foreign partners the opportunity to find information about Indonesian researchers and connect with them through the website. This would be an incredibly useful application in fostering partnerships between researchers in specific fields of study. This could also be used as a mechanism to disseminate information about various funding schemes to support research collaboration.
Another consideration was to continue to coordinate and fund joint conferences and forums between Indonesian and Australian universities in thematic areas. These events not only provide the opportunity learn about specific issues affecting the Australian and Indonesian sectors and improve networks between our sectors, they can be used to promote specific research interests and address policy issues that act as barriers to increased collaboration. This does not have to be an action item that Government carry alone and can be supported by both peak bodies and individual institutors.
A final consideration was investigating ways to either utilise existing funding schemes or create new programs which support the mobility of researchers. Similar to the way NCP has been established for undergraduate students, participants felt that there were opportunities to create a similar scheme to promote short-term research opportunities in both Australia and Indonesia to encourage relationship building between our countries. If we can leverage similar financial support, the programs have the potential to improve research connectivity. This is an idea that has significant merit and could be pursued by Australian and Indonesian peak bodies.
Universities
Illustrative of the engagement of universities in improving the process of collaboration between our sectors was the number of recommendations for action at a sectoral level.
Participants agreed that a logical starting point for both sectors was to commit to a mapping exercise which highlights research expertise that both Australian and Indonesian researchers can access. In identifying research and priorities and strengths across both sectors, it will be easier to identify an alignment of institutional goals and will encourage partnerships of mutual strength. This could be presented on a website and be used to inform and connect Indonesian and Australian partners – perhaps the English language SIMLITABMAS as suggested above. The exercise could also provide a comparison of Australian and Indonesian research procedures so as to ensure that partners are well-informed of potential differences and blockages in the process. For Indonesian universities, there is benefit in more clearly defining institutional research focuses and profiling this on their websites.
Many recommendations focussed on improving research skills for both Australian and Indonesian researchers. For example, one group suggested implementing a host / mentor relationship, where more experienced universities work with developing institutions to build research capacity (including the development of research proposals, joint publications and collaboration processes). Enacting joint initiatives to develop research proposals would be a
significant benefit for many Indonesian universities, particularly when such a large portion of their research proposals go unfunded, and was something that was noted by almost all groups involved in the forum discussion. It was felt that Australian universities could provide assistance to Indonesian universities to develop research training programs, a service which could
potentially be delivered online.
Another recommendation that was shared by a number of groups was improving in-country English training programs. Australia is seen as having a role to play in increasing the level of English language proficiency among Indonesian students if there is a push deepen our collaborative research relationships. New approaches are required for ‘English for Academic Purposes’ (EAP) programs and they should be extended into various hubs across Indonesia, not just in Java.
Other recommendations included having a targeted funding scheme for early career researchers to collaborate; mapping potential business and industry bodies with research partners within the region and leveraging the support of third parties to fund partnerships;
Australian universities sharing academic research management systems with Indonesian universities; embedding internationalisation into Indonesian universities’ strategic
objectives/missions to encourage collaboration; and increasing engagement with Australian and Indonesian alumni.
Peak bodies
For Indonesians, the overwhelming response was that there needs to be better coordination of existing peak body groups, or the establishment of a more overarching body, similar to
Universities Australia, for the Indonesian sector that brings together these bodies. It was acknowledged that there is little visibility of the existing groups. In having a more centralised approach, Indonesian universities will have greater representation and can achieve more through their lobbying, specifically in regards to increased funding. It will also enable equal
representation of their research interests. If this cannot be achieved, perhaps there are opportunities for the establishment of peak body groups that represent the interest of specific university groups, such as regional Indonesian universities. Understandably, this is a
recommendation that will require significantly more thought before it is actualised, not least because of the size of the sector that such a body would represent. However, there are a number of advantages in having an overarching peak body that represents the interests and promotes the strengths of the whole sector. A unified approach strengthens the sector’s position, not just in regards to Government lobbying but in improving international relations.
In regards to Australian peak bodies, including Universities Australia, the participants felt that more could be done to promote research collaboration with Indonesia to their member universities. The continued facilitation of workshops, forums and seminars, in consultation with the Australian and Indonesian Governments was considered to be one way to do this. These events have the potential to reach large audiences, promote information sharing, break down the differences in Australiana and Indonesian research cultures and introduce colleagues for future research collaboration. In addition to workshops for researchers, peak bodies could also look at cooperation at the Vice-Rector/Vice-Chancellor level through Universities Australia and the Vice-Rectors forum. Such an activity would cover broad, high-level dialogue rather than specific research arrangements and would help to improve understanding of the importance of the Australia-Indonesia relationship at an executive level.
Other suggestions included the development of multi-institution consortia based on targeted research agendas and continued capacity development opportunities for Indonesian staff and researchers.