A tycoon, an economist and a journalist were awarded by two prominent state research centers on Wednesday for their contributions to science and applied science in the country.
Real estate and property mogul Pra Ciputra, founder of the Ciputra group, received the 2nd Honorary Prime Engineer Title from the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), while economic researcher Thee Kian Wie and senior journalist from Kompas daily Ninok Leksono received the 7th Sarwono Prawirohardjo Award from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI).
"The panel of judges decided to grant the Honorary Prime Engineer Title to Bapak Pra Ciputra for his more than 50 years of achievements in construction and infrastructure," BPPT acting head Wahono Sumaryono said at a press conference after the awards ceremony.
"He can be a role model for all engineers with his outstanding achievements and dedication."
Ciputra, 77, graduated from the Bandung Institute of Technology's (ITB) Department of Architectural Engineering in 1960.
He began his property career in 1961, and has since then been involved in the development of a large number of prominent property projects, including the Taman Impian Jaya Ancol theme park, the Bumi Serpong Damai residential satellite city and Pondok Indah Mall.
In all, the "technopreneur" has completed or is still developing around 110 projects, including several in Singapore, Hawaii, Vietnam, Cambodia and India.
At a separate ceremony, LIPI head Umar Anggara Jenie presented awards to both Thee and Ninok.
The LIPI award was named after its founder and first head, the late Sarwono Prawirohardjo.
Umar said the two scientists had made significant contributions to the development of the sciences in Indonesia.
"Pak Thee, a researcher in economics, is renowned for being a highly capable expert in the history of economics in the country and abroad," he said.
Ninok was hailed as a "conveyor of information" in the development of science and technology.
"His articles in Kompas connect scientists to the wider Indonesian community," Umar said.
Thee, born in 1935, is a graduate of the University of Indonesia's School of Economics. He earned his PhD in the same field from the University of Wisconsin in 1969.
Thee served as a staff researcher at LIPI from 1962 to 2000, and is now a resident expert at the state institute.
He has published more than 35 scientific papers in both local and international journals, and completed eight textbooks, receiving numerous awards from both local and international institutions for his work.
Ninok, now 52, graduated from ITB's Astronomy Department in 1981, the same year he began his career as a correspondent at Kompas.
Ninok earned his Master's degree from London's King's College, where he studied military technology and the history and doctrines of wars. He received a doctorate from the London School of Economics, where he studied international relations.
