Engineering UGM lecturer, Dr. Ahmad Agus Setiawan, is among the recipients of ASEAN Science and Technology (S&T) Fellowship in 2018/2019. The fellowship from The ASEAN Foundation was granted to 16 scientists in ASEAN such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam.
One year on since the fellowship, he has conducted projects to develop renewable energy in the country.
Ahmad had been selected due to his achievement in advancing science based policy making in ASEAN. Currently, he is contributing to the policy drafting of Yogyakarta renewable energy. While a fellow of ASEAN Science and Technology 2018/19, he conducted studies to define and evaluate national energy policy that supports renewable energy development in Indonesia. He also worked on hybrid energy system development in Marampit island in cooperation with the Higher Learning Ministry.
He explained that he also had many opportunities to discuss with key players such as on Mapping of Research & Development on Renewable Energy Technologies and Policies in ASEAN in Singapore, also to join teleconference, workshop, and training on renewable energy such as Training on 1,000 Island - Renewable Energy for Electrification Programme (REEP) organised by GIZ GmbH Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit.
“I had the opportunity to discuss issues related to Indonesia’s renewable energy 2045 which produced research outcomes and collaborative research plans,” he said.
Agus is expert in renewable energy system and planning at UGM and specialist in clean energy for the World Bank in the energy increase project of the Energy Ministry.
Furthermore, he said the Fellowship gave opportunities to young scientists to apply science and analytical skills in resolving public policy challenges.
“Here we are expected to encourage policy makers to employ more science based approach for policy making,” said the recipient of Habibie Award 2014 and Australian Alumni Award 2011 for Sustainable Economic and Social Development.