RRI.CO.ID, Tangerang - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is further strengthening Indonesia-Japan science diplomacy by organizing a joint international public lecture with the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry winner, Prof. Susumu Kitagawa. This event will take place on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the B.J. Habibie Science and Technology Area (KST) in South Tangerang.

Professor Susumu Kitagawa is a world-renowned scientist from Kyoto University, Japan, known as a pioneer in the development of porous coordination polymers (PCPs) or metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). For his fundamental scientific contributions to the development of MOFs, Professor Kitagawa was awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

In an official website of BRIN on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, Head of BRIN, Arif Satria, stated that the presence of Prof. Kitagawa in Indonesia is a strategic momentum in strengthening scientific cooperation between Indonesia and Japan. "Science diplomacy is considered an important instrument for promoting knowledge transfer, increasing national research capacity, and accelerating the development of a globally competitive advanced materials research and innovation ecosystem," Arif stated.

The Head of the Nanotechnology and Materials Research Organization at BRIN, Ratno Nuryadi, stated that the arrival of the Nobel laureate in Chemistry to Indonesia is an important opportunity to inspire researchers and students and expand international collaboration networks. 

"This visit also contributes to building a culture of scientific excellence and strengthening the research ecosystem toward the emergence of Nobel-class Indonesian researchers in the future," he conveyed.

Meanwhile, the Head of the BRIN Polymer Technology Research Center, Joddy Arya Laksmono, underscored "The Usefulness of Useless: Fundamental Curiosity, Enduring Impact" as the common thread of the International Public Lecture delivered by 2025 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Prof. Susumu Kitagawa. 

Through his experience in fundamental research on porous materials, Prof. Kitagawa demonstrated how basic scientific curiosity has built the foundation of knowledge that is now making a real contribution to the development of strategic technologies, including in the fields of energy and advanced materials.

"This international public lecture affirms the importance of basic research as a long-term investment for strengthening the national research and innovation ecosystem," Joddy stated.

Professor Kitagawa's visit will also be used to initiate the formation of the Indonesian metal-organic frameworks (MOF) Association as a collaborative platform between BRIN, universities, and industry for the coordinated and sustainable development of MOF research. Additionally, the establishment of a Sister Laboratory (SISTER LAB) will be explored, and international research cooperation will be strengthened, including with research institutions and universities in Japan.