Asian Scientists Discuss Sci-Tech To Boost Economy

Yogyakarta (Antara Bali) - One hundred and fifty scientists from Asian countries have come together for the 12th Asian International Association of Learning, Innovation, and Co-evolution Studies (ASIALICS) being organised in Yogyakarta.

The 12th ASIALICS, being held on September 15 and 16, 2015, will see scientists discussing the development of science and technology as a driver of economic growth.

"Forty-five scientific papers will be presented at the ASIALICS while 47 research papers will be presented at the 5th Forum for Science, Technology and Innovation (IPTEKIN), being held simultaneously," an event organizer, Siti Nuramaliati Prijono, said here on Tuesday.

The participants from diverse backgrounds, such as government, industry, academics, scientists, and community at large, have come from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India, China, the Philippines, and Hong Kong.

She said the 12th ASIALICS discussed ways to use science, technology, and innovation to improve the national economy based on natural resources industry.

Indonesia, she added, can no longer rely on mere exploration and exploitation of natural resources and should become a country with natural resource based industries that employ innovation.

The head of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Iskandar Zulkarnain, said this conference is  a platform to exchange views about developments in science, technology and innovation in Asia.

Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics shows that the natural resource-based industries only contribute 18 percent to the Gross Domestic Product, a figure Iskandar termed as far from the desired level.

"Innovation and technology can improve the performance of natural resource-based industries, especially for developing countries that rely more on natural resources to support their economic growth," he said. (WDY)