Jakarta (ANTARA) - An international class joint Indonesia-China research laboratory for New Energy Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Technology resulting from a collaboration between the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), GEM and Central South University (CSU) is ready to operate in Bandung, West Java.

In an official statement received by ANTARA on Friday, this laboratory will have two experimental engineering research centers (Hydrometallurgical Engineering Technology Research Center and New Energy Materials Engineering Technology Research Center) plus 12 research laboratories with a total investment of up to 30 million US dollars or the equivalent of IDR 464.1 billion.

"Through this joint laboratory collaboration, the Bandung Institute of Technology will become a center of excellence in education, research and development, as well as innovation in the field of circular economy and sustainable development, as well as becoming a center of excellence in the Province of West Java and Indonesia," said the Chancellor of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB ) Reini Wirahadikusumah.

To top it all off, this laboratory is also equipped with more than 300 sets of the world's latest generation equipment, and is the world's first level engineering testing and research center for metallurgical technology and new energy materials research.

With the presence of various advanced technologies in this laboratory, various companies will be able to effectively complete key technological research from the entire industrial chain of mineral resource extraction, synthesis of new energy materials, resource recycling and environmental management, and have the conditions and capabilities to cultivate students high-level master's and doctoral programs.


The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment who also acts as Chair of Indonesia's Cooperation with China, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, explained that this facility is important for building cooperation between Indonesia and China in building sustainable industry.


"The establishment of this joint laboratory comes at the right time and is an important practice to realize discussions between the Indonesian and Chinese governments, in strengthening industrial talent cooperation between China and Indonesia's main partners, which is very important for improving the quality of human resources and innovative research," he said.

He also said that this facility, which has sophisticated equipment, could be used to produce outstanding figures who are committed to the welfare of Indonesian society through providing employment opportunities.


"It is hoped that in the near future, Indonesia will see the emergence of figures such as Professor Xu Kaihua, who are not only committed to research and innovation, but also to business success and improving the welfare of the Indonesian people through providing employment opportunities," he said.


For information, the China-Indonesia joint research laboratory, which carries the Bandung spirit of "Unity, Friendship and Cooperation" as well as the principles of the "Belt and Road" Initiative, aims to become a flagship project for China-Indonesia technological cooperation and cultural exchange.


In addition, the presence of this facility is also expected to be at the forefront of the Belt and Road 2.0 model, and contribute a brilliant new chapter to the global community for a shared future through the international expansion of Chinese companies.

(SOURCE)