JAKARTA - The Nusantara Capital Authority (NCA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus (LDE) University Alliance for scientific and academic cooperation in the development of a new city, which will support Indonesia's Golden Vision 2045.

Under the MoU, the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus (LDE) University Alliance will become the knowledge partner of the NCA in integrated urban planning, smart city development, sustainable water and waste management, smart transportation systems, resilient and inclusive communities, climate mitigation, as well as urban biodiversity and botanical gardens.

The MoU signing, held at the NCA Office on Monday (18/07/2024), was signed by the Chairman of the NCA, Bambang Susantono, and the dean of LDE, Professor Wim van den Doel, and was attended by the Dutch Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, H.E Lambert Grijns.

"Our strategic alliance with the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus University will bring about future innovations and progress. And more importantly, we believe that our collaborative research programs and knowledge-sharing in the future can pave the way for Indonesia to become a high-income country by 2045, making Nusantara the core of this journey," said Bambang.

During the event, Dean of the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus University, Wim van den Doel, also highlighted the importance of Indonesia's collaboration with foreign educational institutions in achieving global development agendas.

"The decision to proceed with the establishment of a new capital city, determined to be a pioneering example of innovation as the world's most advanced forest city, is nothing short of visionary. As we join hands with the Nusantara Capital Authority, we recognize Indonesia's important role in addressing urgent global challenges. From pioneering advancements in green economy to progress in healthcare and urban planning, Indonesia's contributions have the potential for far-reaching impact," said Wim van den Doel.

As the first concrete outcome of the partnership between the NCA and LDE Universities, a multidisciplinary team from the Netherlands will participate in the Nusantara conference on forest cities in Samarinda at the end of May. The purpose of this conference is to design a joint research agenda on forest cities, urban biodiversity, and botanical gardens. This agenda will serve as the basis for joint research in the coming years.

In the upcoming academic year, LDE Universities will endeavor to establish a thesis lab at the NCA. Here, the best young minds from the Netherlands and Indonesia will confront challenges posed by the NCA, shaping the education of future leaders who will make a significant impact in realizing green, smart, healthy, comfortable, and enjoyable cities worldwide.

The signing of the MoU took place less than six months before Indonesia plans to inaugurate the central part of the new Nusantara capital city with the commemoration of the country's 80th Independence Day on August 17 this year.

"Through Nusantara K-Hub, as a melting pot for industry, educational institutions, and government bodies, we hope to accommodate various collaborations with local and international institutions in creating a sustainable research and education ecosystem and supporting transformation in Nusantara," concluded Prof. Ir. Mohammed Ali Berawi, Ph.D., Deputy for Green and Digital Transformation at the NCA.

(Monday,March 18^th 2024)

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Source:Nusantara Capital Authority Public Relations