The Aceh Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda Aceh) and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), held a strategic discussion titled “The Application of Science in Regional Development” on July 24, 2025, at the Bappeda Aceh office. The event aimed to strengthen synergy between local government and academia in promoting science- and technology-based development. The meeting was attended by the Head of Bappeda Aceh, Dr. Husnan Harun, ST, MP, accompanied by Dr. Teuku Ahmad Dadek, SH, MH, Principal Expert Planner, as well as FMIPA’s leadership team and faculty members. The discussion was moderated by Muhajir, ST, M.T, Head of the Research and Development Division of Bappeda Aceh, who facilitated a dialogue focused on concrete follow-ups and cross-sector collaboration opportunities.
In his remarks, Dr. Husnan emphasized that Bappeda’s role is not only to plan development but also to ensure its effective implementation. He stressed that planning is not merely an administrative routine but a process of selecting strategic activities that consider local potential and resources. He noted that program proposals can also be initiated by Bappeda, opening wider opportunities for direct collaboration with academic institutions. However, he also highlighted that human resource limitations remain a key challenge, particularly in applying research outputs from universities. “It’s very rare for us to have presentations like this at Bappeda, even though we truly need them,” he remarked.
Further, Dr. Husnan discussed Aceh’s potential in natural resource management. He explained that global oil contracts encompass carbon chains from C1 to C22, while Aceh has only managed up to C8. He also noted that Category C mining contracts revealed gold potential that has yet to be regulated. Therefore, he urged the immediate drafting of a Qanun (regional regulation) to address this matter. He compared Aceh with neighboring regions such as Penang, which was once supported by Aceh in building its harbor but has now advanced far beyond. Quoting a verse from the Qur’an, he asserted that the power to “penetrate the heavens and the earth” can only be achieved through science. “Help us revive Aceh’s glory through science and technology,” he urged.
Responding to this, Dean of FMIPA USK, Prof. Dr. Taufik Fuadi Abidin, S.Si, M.Tech, expressed FMIPA’s readiness to serve as Bappeda’s strategic partner. FMIPA comprises seven departments with sixteen study programs, encompassing expertise in data science, artificial intelligence (AI), landscape ecology, remote sensing, instrumentation, modeling, biotechnology, renewable energy, waste management, and pharmaceutical sciences. FMIPA is also prepared to provide support in applied research, technical training, and the provision of GPU-based data analytics to strengthen evidence-based and responsive public policymaking.
During the discussion session, several strategic issues were explored, including carbon trading, greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring, vegetation as a carbon sink, and the development of GIS-based spatial studies. FMIPA department heads also presented potential collaborations in urban pest control, environmental bioremediation, bioinformatics, data science, and biotechnology to support food security and health sectors. FMIPA reaffirmed its commitment to actively supply data and analysis for regional development policy formulation.
Dr. Teuku Ahmad Dadek, SH, MH, underlined the importance of high-quality technical training available directly in Aceh. He lamented that trainings such as environmental impact assessment (AMDAL), remote sensing, disaster modeling, and drone mapping are still largely conducted by institutions outside Aceh. “FMIPA USK should serve as a center for science- and technology-based training needed by local government officials,” he stated. In response, FMIPA representatives explained that they have prepared certified training packages in various fields and are currently awaiting a Rector’s regulation on the tariff scheme for laboratory asset utilization and data access.
As a follow-up to this meeting, FMIPA and Bappeda Aceh agreed to draft a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) covering joint research, technical training, human resource capacity building, policy support system development, and the integration of scientific knowledge into Aceh’s development planning. This meeting marks an important milestone in building a collaborative ecosystem between local government and academia to realize a science-based, inclusive, and sustainable development in Aceh.
This initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), Goal 13 (Climate Action), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) emphasizing the shared commitment to advancing knowledge-driven and sustainable regional development.
