The Indonesian government continues to encourage the resilience and independence of the healthcare industry, as imports dominate 90% of its domestic pharmaceutical raw materials and health spending. In addition, 88% of medical device transactions through electronic catalogs (e-catalogs) are imported products. Meanwhile, research and development funds are only about 0.2% of Indonesia’s total GDP. Therefore, Dexa Group, as one of the national pharmaceutical companies, takes its role in realizing health resilience and independence through the Dexa Award Science Scholarship that aims to stimulate innovation in the pharmaceutical and health sector.

“The Government of the Republic of Indonesia continues to encourage the growth of the health industry and build independence of medicine and medicinal raw materials. As part of the health industry, Dexa Group continues to mobilize all its capacities and capabilities to build health independence. Dexa Award Science Scholarship serves to stimulate innovation in the pharmaceutical and health sector; by providing scholarships for postgraduate and research,” said Dexa Group Leader, Mr. Ferry Soetikno, in his opening remarks for the Virtual Ceremony of Dexa Award Science Scholarship (DASS) 2022, Friday (29/7/2022).

According to Mr. Ferry, Dexa Group has carried out research and innovation through Dexa Laboratories Biomolecular Sciences (DLBS) to produce medicinal raw materials from Indonesian natural ingredients, further developed into medicines in the Standardized Herbal Medicines (OHT) category as well as Green Pharmacy phytopharmaceuticals known as Indonesian Indigenous Modern Medicine (IIMM). These things align with the Indonesian government’s program to build independence in the healthcare industry by supplying domestic medicinal raw materials.

Diverse research and development projects have been carried out following patient demands during the 53-year journey of Dexa Group. Dexa Group has given out more than 3,000 scholarships, ranging from master’s degrees to pharmacy school graduates.

“We hope Dexa Award Science Scholarship can help our nation’s generation of researchers. Please allow us to extend our congratulations to the top 5 finalists, particularly to the recipients of the Dexa Award Science Scholarship for 2022,” Mr. Ferry said.

A total of 1,002 young scientists applied for the 2022 DASS scholarship. The best Indonesian scientists strictly selected research proposals for the judging round, Dr. Raymond R. Tjandrawinata (Director of Research and Business Development Dexa Group) and Prof. Dr. apt. Heni Rachmawati, M.Si (Professor of Pharmacy School, Bandung Institute of Technology), Prof. Dr. apt. Keri Lestari, M.Si (Professor of Padjadjaran University), Prof. Dr. Ir. Antonius Suwanto, M.Sc (Professor of Bogor Agricultural University).

Three winners were selected after the judging and awarded scholarships for master’s study and research. Faizal Maulana from Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), Jovita Aurelia from Atma Jaya Unika Jakarta, and Wahyu Nur Safitriono from Sebelas Maret University are the grantees of the DASS 2022 scholarship program. Their research topics are Metabolomic Studies for Quality Maintenance of Natural Ingredients-Based Medicines and the Development of Cancer Drug Development.

Three winners were chosen after the judging and awarded scholarships for master’s study and research. Faizal Maulana from Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), Jovita Aurelia from Atma Jaya Unika Jakarta, and Wahyu Nur Safitriono from Sebelas Maret University are the recipients of the DASS 2022 scholarship program. Their research topics are Metabolomic Studies for Quality Maintenance of Natural Ingredients-Based Medicines, Development of Natural Drug Delivery Materials for Oral Delivery, and the Development of Cancer Drug Delivery for Brain Target.

Government Supports Dexa Award Science Scholarship

The Republic of Indonesia’s Minister of Health, Mr. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, highlighted the present administration’s initiatives to improve the health sector in his remarks at the Dexa Award Science Scholarship (DASS) virtual ceremony 2022 aired on the YouTube channel Dexan TV. Government strategy is centered on ensuring health security, which is one of the foundations of change.

Indonesia’s Minister of Health, Mr. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, highlighted the present administration’s initiatives to improve the health sector in his remarks at the Dexa Award Science Scholarship (DASS) virtual ceremony 2022, aired on the YouTube channel Dexan TV. Government strategy is centered on ensuring health security, one of the pillars of national health transformation.

To address the need for local manufacturers of medical devices and pharmaceutical preparations, the Ministry of Health is now concentrating on achieving health resilience as one of the pillars of health transformation. The Minister of Health stated that cooperation from several stakeholders, including academia, industry, government, and society, is required to accomplish this goal, particularly in producing quality scientists, experts, and practitioners who can increase the capacity and capability of domestic pharmaceutical preparations production.

According to the Minister of Health, the Dexa Award Science Scholarship is a testament to the community and industry’s support for the health system’s transformation, especially in the transformation of health resilience. In addition, this event is also in line with the transformation of human resources in the health sector through student scholarships.
“I would like to thank Dexa Group for supporting thousands of Indonesian students with scholarships through the Dexa Award Science Scholarship program. The Minister of Health remarked, “I hope this initiative will continue to inspire and drive Indonesia’s young generation to advance science and technology, work creatively, innovate, and support Indonesia’s human development.

The Journey of Dexa Award Science Scholarship

Dexa Group’s founder, late Mr. Rudy Soetikno, had the extraordinary vision to start this scholarship program. By supporting higher education, he hoped to pass on his commitment and spirit of participation in the health industry to future generations. The Dexa Award Science Scholarship program was the realization of this proposal by the Dexa Group Leader, Mr. Ferry Soetikno, Dharma Dexa Leader Mrs. Gloria Haslim, and Dr. Raymond Tjandrawinata.

Students may apply for this scholarship program and submit research projects on various health-related scientific topics to improve public health. Dexa Group will provide scholarships for chosen winners to pursue master’s or postgraduate study and research in any A-accredited universities in Indonesia.