Bagus Muljadi: Menggali Kembali Potensi Lokal | JalinTalks w/ Hilmar Farid Ep #21

Before Americans in the 1960s knew about the tectonic path connecting the Southern Sea with volcanoes, Indonesians, especially around Yogyakarta, had recognized such connections and could anticipate tectonic activities. The speaker believes in the relevance of local wisdom in scientific endeavors and highlights Indonesia's potential in offering solutions to global issues through its unique natural resources.

Hilmar Farid welcomes the guest, Bagus Mulyadi, a public intellectual, to discuss issues on professorship in Indonesia and compare them with those in the UK and France. They talk about the significance and freedom associated with being a professor, and how it relates to academic freedom and societal development.

They elaborate on the role of professors in promoting intellectual debates and contributing to societal trust by vetting ideas in an adversarial academic environment. Such practices help societies determine which ideas are reliable and merit consideration. They mention differences between academic hierarchies in America and the UK as well.

Discussion revolves around the implications of political figures being awarded professorships in Indonesia, probing into the resulting impacts on the perception of academic roles. They discuss the essence of academic authenticity and the potential risks if it were compromised by political affiliations or transactions.

The conversation shifts to discussing the guest's field of study, chemical and environmental engineering, and its applicability in Indonesia, particularly in biodiversity conservation and addressing geothermal challenges. They highlight the need for interdisciplinary approaches in tackling these issues.

Acknowledging a new biodiversity strategy launched by the Indonesian government, they stress the importance of technological applications in preserving the biodiversity. The discussion underscores the significance of community involvement and reflects on the challenges and opportunities arising from the new national strategy.

They delve into examples of cultural wisdom in anticipating natural phenomena and the historical depth of such wisdom in Indonesia. The conversation points out the potential synthesis of local knowledge with modern science, suggesting that local practices might hold solutions to contemporary global challenges, such as climate change.

Building on previous discussions, they identify the necessity for science and technology to work synergistically with local wisdom, recognizing the inherent limitations in both. They emphasize that local wisdom, when complemented by scientific inquiry, could facilitate innovative solutions to practical problems in contemporary society.

The guest discusses his research collaborations and the adaptability of mathematical models across different fields. He illustrates how mathematical applications in fluid dynamics or pollutant distribution in groundwater can be crucial for addressing environmental challenges, thus proving the versatility and interconnectivity of scientific disciplines.

They further explore the strategic importance of Indonesia's biodiversity in global discourse and examine potential institutional and governmental frameworks that could capitalize on this for sustainable development. The conversation hints at leveraging Indonesia's unique biocultural diversity for national advancement and international recognition.

Highlighting Indonesia's complex cultural and natural landscape, they consider the integration of local knowledge into the broader state system, using technological advancements to manage and amplify these diversities within a unified national framework.

As the discussion progresses, they reflect on the critical challenges in aligning Indonesia's educational, political, and cultural systems to foster effective governance and sustainable growth. They underscore the necessity for a cohesive national narrative that unites diverse cultural identities while embracing modern science and innovation.