In anticipation of Indonesia Emas 2045, it’s crucial to prepare a high-quality, competent, and competitive young generation. Encouraging active innovation and research in the fields of science and technology among the youth is a step towards this goal. Support from the government, private sector, and other stakeholders is essential, involving substantial research funding incentives, downstreaming research products, and recognizing successful young researchers or scientists.
Merck, a leading science and technology company, hosted the Merck Young Scientist Award (“MYSA”) on November 23, 2023, at Hotel ASTON Priority Simatupang Hotel & Conference Center in Jakarta. This award for young researchers has been held since 2018 and occurs every two years. This time, the organizing committee successfully selected 136 young researcher candidates from across Indonesia. Out of these candidates, 12 of the best young researchers were chosen to participate in the award event in Jakarta. The participants underwent rigorous selection by a panel of judges chaired by Prof. Dr. Apt. Edy Meiyanto, M.Si., from Universitas Gadjah Mada. Other jury members included Prof. Dr. Taufiqu Rohman, M.Eng., from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN); Iman Hidayat, Ph.D., from BRIN; Dr. Riza Arief Putranto, D.E.A., from The Indonesian Society for Bioinformatics and Biodiversity; and Ilma Equilibrina, Ph.D., from PT Merck. Those who made it to Jakarta went through another selection phase, presenting scientific posters and research findings. Among the 12 selected candidates in Jakarta was Sigit Dwi Maryanto, representing the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada. In this opportunity, Sigit aimed to showcase his best in front of the jury and researchers from across Indonesia. Sigit presented an innovative research on the efficiency of fertilizing oil palm plants using a molecular marker-based plant breeding approach. The ultimate aim of this research was to produce “Efficient Nutrient Superior Oil Palm” plants, which could potentially enhance the welfare of Indonesian oil palm farmers, aligning with the SDGs 2030 through science and technology. However, the jury named the best researcher as Dr. Eng. Sjaikhurrijal El M., S.Si., M.Eng., from BRIN, awarding him a prize of IDR 50,000,000.
Devy Tri Nurmala, the Head of the Merck Young Scientist Award (“MYSA”) Committee, expressed appreciation to the 12 best candidates who participated in MYSA. She expressed hope that young researchers would continue their work, generating research products beneficial for the nation’s progress.
