ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — President Prabowo Subianto has officially appointed Prof. Dr. Arif Satria, SP, MSi as Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), replacing Laksamana Tri Handoko, in a ceremony held at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Monday, November 10, 2025.
Simultaneously, Prof. Dr. Amarulla Octavian was inaugurated as Deputy Head of BRIN based on Presidential Decree (Keppres) Numner 123/P of 2025 concerning the Dismissal and Appointment of the Head and Deputy Head of BRIN.
The event was attended by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Ahmad Muzani, several Ministers of the Red and White Cabinet, and other high-ranking state officials.
Profile of Prof. Arif Satria
Prof. Arif Satria currently serves as Rector of IPB University for his second term (2023–2028). Born in Pekalongan on September 17, 1971, Arif is a Permanent Professor at the Faculty of Human Ecology, IPB University, and a renowned expert in political ecology and natural resource governance.
His academic insights have often guided national policies in sustainable development, blue economy, and agrifood transformation.
Beyond his role as rector, Arif is an influential figure in various national institutions. He currently serves as Chairman of the Indonesian Association of Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI) for the 2021–2026 term, was previously Chairman of the Indonesian Rectors Forum (FRI), and was recently elected Deputy Chair of the KPK Selection Committee in 2024.
He also served as President Commissioner of PTPN Holding (2018–2022), where he promoted sustainable and innovation-driven governance within Indonesia’s state-owned plantation enterprises.
Innovation and Transformational Leadership
During his tenure at IPB University, Prof. Arif became widely recognized as a reformist leader in higher education, spearheading several key transformations:
Turning IPB into an Entrepreneurial University, fostering hundreds of agritech startups and green innovations led by students and researchers.
Launching the Innovative Merdeka Campus, connecting academic research with industrial and societal needs.
Strengthening research ecosystems in food security, marine resources, and climate resilience, including the establishment of the IPB Science Techno Park to advance research commercialization.
Promoting green research and circular economy initiatives, emphasizing renewable energy, biomass, and agricultural waste utilization.
A New Direction for BRIN Under Arif Satria
With his deep academic background in social-ecological innovation, Prof. Arif is expected to lead BRIN toward a more collaborative, productive, and solution-oriented research ecosystem.
“BRIN must become the main driver of national innovation — strengthening technological sovereignty and ensuring that research outcomes deliver real benefits for the people,” said Arif in his inaugural statement.
His appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter in Indonesia’s research leadership, emphasizing synergy between science, public policy, and industry as the foundation for achieving Indonesia’s Vision 2045. (AT Network)
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