| UNAIR NEWS – The commitment to strengthening collaboration in science, technology and innovation in the field of renewable energy became a main focus of the 15th Korea-ASEAN Joint Symposium (KAJS), which took place in Bali on Monday (June 22, 2026). The involvement of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), represented by its Assistant Secretary-General for Science and Technology, underscored the importance of building research networks across OIC and ASEAN member states. At the forum, ¶«¾©ÈÈ (UNAIR), through World University Association for Community Development (WUACD), serves as a strategic liaison that brings together academics, researchers, government representatives and international partners. These efforts aim to promote the development of sustainable energy. |
OIC encourages cross-border collaboration in science and innovation
Assistant Secretary-General for Science and Technology of the OIC, H.E. Amb. Aftab A. Khokher emphasized that the OIC will continue various strategic programs already in place in 2025 toward broader implementation in 2026. According to him, strengthening innovation and knowledge exchange among member states, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and other OIC countries, serves as an important foundation for accelerating science-based development.
Assistant Secretary-General for Science and Technology of the OIC, H.E. Amb. Aftab A. Khokher emphasized that the OIC will continue various strategic programs already in place in 2025 toward broader implementation in 2026. According to him, strengthening innovation and knowledge exchange among member states, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and other OIC countries, serves as an important foundation for accelerating science-based development.
| This commitment was reinforced through a Technical Session showcasing various research findings on biomass and renewable energy from OIC and ASEAN member states, as well as international partners. This scientific session not only served as a platform for disseminating research but also opened opportunities for further research collaboration. Furthermore, the session supported the development of joint funding schemes and the downstreaming of innovations, enabling their adoption by communities and industry. |
Technical session strengthens the downstreaming of biomass innovation
Efforts to strengthen this collaboration were also reflected in a series of technical sessions, which served as a forum for disseminating various innovations in biomass and renewable energy. One of the speakers, Prof. Dr. Techn. Endry Nugroho Prasetyo from Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), outlined the potential of enzymes as industrial biocatalysts for enhancing the added value of biomass.Â
In his presentation, Prof. Prasetyo explained that various types of enzymes hold significant potential for application in biomass-based industries. Meanwhile, keratinase has the potential to increase feed conversion ratios in poultry production, while laccase can be utilized in biopulping, pulp bleaching, deinking, reducing pitch-related issues, and the production of lignin-based bio-binders for paper coatings. The combination of laccase and cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) can also reduce phenolic compound content in oil waste and improve protein extraction yields from rice bran.
Through this international forum, UNAIR has once again reaffirmed its role as a hub for global collaboration. UNAIR plays a strategic role in bringing together universities, international organisations and the scientific community to build an impactful research ecosystem. The synergy between the OIC, ASEAN member states and various international partners will ultimately accelerate the emergence of innovations in biomass and renewable energy. These efforts extend beyond scientific publications to make a tangible contribution to the needs of society, industry, and the sustainable energy transition agenda.
Author: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
