The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) handed down its prestigious Sarwono Prawirohardjo Award to two senior scientists Friday for their outstanding contributions to science.

LIPI chairman Umar Anggara Jenie presented the awards to oceanologist Indroyono Soesilo and botanist Didin Sumarna Sastrapradja.

The award, named in honor of LIPI’s first chairman, is awarded to scientists whose achievements are recognized by the national and international scientific communities. The award is given annually during LIPI’s anniversary celebrations.

Didin, 76, said he was deeply touched to receive the award.

“I never imagined that at this old age I would be given such a great honor,” he said. “I never felt I was good enough to receive this award.”

Didin extended his gratitude to the doctors who had treated him for a number of illnesses in his old age.

Having worked at LIPI since it was founded in 1976, his last position was as vice chairman of the institute which he held until 1992. He encouraged LIPI to take part in the Man and the Biosphere Program, a UNESCO initiative aimed at preserving global biological diversity.

Didin gained international recognition for his work rehabilitating the Homma Botany Garden, one of the oldest and most beautiful botanic landmarks in the  Mediterranean region. Large parts of the garden were virtually destroyed during the Algeria Independence War in the 1960s.

Indroyono, the joint recipient of the award, said he felt the accolade represented support from the scientific community for his work.

“I believe this award symbolizes the unified goal of scientists to advance this country for the people,” said the 54-year-old.      

Indroyono is the secretary of the Office of the Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare, as well as the committee secretary of the World Ocean Conference and Coral Triangle Initiative Summit.

Indroyono and his team are now working to have articles from the Manado Ocean Declaration included in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which is due to be adopted by the United Nations in December.

Both scientists said there were unlimited opportunities to discover new innovations through the countries natural resources.

“There are still many unnamed plants in Indonesia. These plants could provide ingredients for medicines, food sources, ornamental plants and many other purposes,” Didin said.

If the country invested in research into botanical science, he said, it would be able to provide ample food for the entire population.  

Indroyono said international scientific communities were very enthusiastic about conducing research in Indonesia’s oceans.

“There is a research that suggests coral may contain substances which can heal cancer and infections, and Indonesia has more than 900 different types of coral,” he said. (mrs)

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