MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA — Two members of Muhammadiyah, Prof. Dr. Amin Abdullah and Prof. Brian Yuliarto, were awarded the prestigious Habibie Prize 2024. The award, presented by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), recognized outstanding contributions to science and technology.
Prof. Amin Abdullah, a former chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Council for Tarjih (Religious Opinion) and Islamic Thought Development 1995-2000 and currently an advisor to the Muhammadiyah Council for Cadre and Human Resources 2022-2027, received the award in the Philosophy, Religion, and Culture category for his pioneering work in developing multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary approaches in religious and cultural studies.
Meanwhile, Prof. Brian Yuliarto, the Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Branch of Cibeunying Kaler Bandung and the Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Department of Strategic Studies and Partnerships of the Muhammadiyah Regional Board of West Java, was honored in the Engineering category for his research on porous nanomaterials for sensor and energy applications.
The annual Habibie Prize, now in its 25th year, aims to recognize exceptional Indonesian talents who have made significant contributions to science and technology.
The head of BRIN Laksana Tri Handoko said that the award was part of BRIN’s national priority to build a conducive research and innovation ecosystem in Indonesia. Handoko explained that the collaboration between BRIN and the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education Agency (LPDP) has enabled the sustainability of these awards, allowing them to be given to individuals or institutions that have made a significant impact on research and innovation.
“The Habibie Prize recognizes outstanding talents who have excellent achievements in their fields,” said Handokom in the ceremony on Monday, November 11 at the Sumitro Djojohadikusumo Auditorium, B.J. Habibie Building, Jakarta.
Handoko also hoped that the recipients would leverage their achievements to make a broader contribution to society and mentor younger generations to produce even more impactful research and innovations.
In addition to Prof. Brian and Prof. Amin, other recipients of the Habibie Prize this year included experts from various fields, such as Prof. Ir. Felycia Edi Soetaredjo in the Basic Sciences category, Prof. Bachti Alisjahbana in the Medical and Biotechnology category, and Prof. Anita Lie in the Social Sciences, Economics, Politics, and Law category.
The awarding of the Habibie Prize 2024 on National Heroes Day highlighted the recognition of these individuals as heroes in the fields of science and technology, making significant contributions to society.
The achievements of Prof. Brian Yuliarto and Prof. Dr. Amin Abdullah may inspire other Muhammadiyah members to continue innovating, contributing to the advancement of science and technology, and benefiting the wider community (baldatun thayyibatun wa rabbun ghafur).
