INTRODUCTION TO KOICA-ICAB - IPB - SNU Center for Agriculture and Bioscience

KOICA-ICAB PROJECT

Capacity Building for the Center for Agriculture and Bioscience of IPB University in Indonesia (2021-2028, US$11M)

KOICA-ICAB Project: Introduction and Overview

Introduction

The KOICA–ICAB Project exemplifies a long-term, transformative collaboration that bridges Korean scientific innovation and Indonesian agricultural potential. Through the establishment of the National Instrumentation Center for Agriculture and Bioscience (NICAB), the project aspires not only to modernize Indonesia’s research infrastructure but also to cultivate human resources, foster regional cooperation, and promote a sustainable, knowledge-driven bio-economy in Indonesia.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), established on April 1, 1991, is the Republic of Korea’s primary agency for official development assistance (ODA). Its mission is to enhance the effectiveness of Korea’s grant aid programs by implementing diverse grant and technical cooperation initiatives. KOICA seeks to contribute to global development by sharing Korea’s development experiences and expertise with partner countries. Through its programs, KOICA aims to fight global poverty, support sustainable socio-economic growth, and strengthen friendly relations between Korea and developing nations.

Within this mandate, KOICA launched the project “Capacity Building for the Center for Agriculture and Bioscience of IPB University in Indonesia (2022–2028)”—known as the KOICA–ICAB Project—in collaboration with IPB University and Seoul National University (SNU). The initiative aims to enhance IPB University’s research and educational capacities by establishing a state-of-the-art research and analytical center, modeled after SNU’s National Instrumentation Center for Environmental Management (NICEM). The project includes construction of a new laboratory building, remodeling of the Advanced Research Laboratory (ARLab), installation of advanced laboratory equipment, and comprehensive human resource development through short- and mid-term training programs and Ph.D. education at Seoul National University.

Background

Indonesia is the second-most biodiverse country in the world and one of the largest producers of tropical fruits, spices, coffee, palm oil, and other agricultural commodities. Despite this abundance, the country’s research capacity in agriculture and bioscience remains underdeveloped relative to its economic importance.

Although IPB University ranks among Indonesia’s top five universities, its global ranking still falls below 400, reflecting the urgent need for investment in advanced research facilities, academic training, and international research collaboration. Recognizing these challenges, KOICA and IPB University joined forces to establish NICAB—a modern, integrated research and education hub designed to drive scientific excellence, innovation, and sustainability in Indonesia’s agricultural and bio sciences sectors.

Project Goals

Human Resource Development

Build a new generation of experts in agriculture, biosciences, and environmental management through technical training and doctoral programs.

Research Capacity Enhancement

Strengthen IPB University’s institutional research infrastructure with cutting-edge facilities and equipment, enabling advanced experimentation and innovation.

Industry–Academia Cooperation

Facilitate cross-sector collaboration in the emerging Green Bio industry, fostering technology transfer and commercialization.

Regional Partnership

Promote Korea–Indonesia–Timor-Leste Triangular Cooperation, advancing South–South collaboration and knowledge sharing in the field of agricultural and bioscience development.

Project Structure and Duration

The KOICA–ICAB Project (2022–2028) is a seven-year capacity-building initiative jointly implemented by KOICA, Seoul National University (SNU), and IPB University in Bogor, Indonesia. Executed under a Project Management Consultancy (PMC) led by SNU’s Institutes of Green Bio Science and Technology (GBST), the project progresses through three main phases:

Phase 1 (2022–2024)

Baseline assessment, design planning, and initial training programs.

Phase 2 (2025–2026)

Full-scale infrastructure construction, equipment installation, and advanced degree training.

Phase 3 (2027–2028)

Research activation, performance monitoring, and transition to sustainable operations and management by IPB University.

Implementation Approach

The project’s implementation is structured into five major components (Outputs)

Establishment of NICAB Infrastructure

Construction of a new research laboratory building, ARLab remodeling, and equipment procurement.

Operation of Academic Degree Programs

MS and Ph.D. programs at IPB and SNU for faculty members from Indonesia and Timor-Leste.

Capacity Building and Networking

Training Programs (Short-term andMid-term), workshops, and IPB-SNU Green Bio Science Forums.

Project Promotion and Center Management

Development of manuals, promotional materials, and the KOICA–ICAB website.

Expert Dispatch and Local Operations

Development of joint researches and academy-industry cooperation project and enhancing the networking among universities and research institutes

Beneficiaries and Contributions

The primary beneficiaries of the KOICA–ICAB Project include faculty members, researchers, and students of IPB University and the National University of East Timor (UNTL). Indirect beneficiaries extend to universities, research institutions, and industries engaged in agriculture, biosciences, and environmental management throughout Indonesia and beyond. The project operates through extensive partnerships with key Indonesian ministries and institutions, including the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Forestry, and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). By connecting these stakeholders, the KOICA–ICAB Project contributes to the advancement of national education, research excellence, and industrial innovation, while strengthening the foundation for sustainable development and global competitiveness in Indonesia.

KOICA–ICAB Project: Progress, Achievements, and Partnerships (as of the End of 2025)

Current Progress and Key Milestones Achieved

The KOICA–ICAB Project has entered its fourth operational year (2025), moving from the design and preparatory phase into the implementation and activation stage.

Key accomplishments and progress achieved by January 2026 include:

Milestone	Description	Status (as of Jan 2026)
NICAB Architectural Design	Final building design completed by PT. WIRATMAN; construction bidding under preparation. (Total budget: USD 3,000,000)	Completed
ARLab Remodeling	All the remodeling work has been completed, including the 2nd-floor office and the 3rd-floor meeting and education facilities provided by KOICA. (USD 200,000)	Completed
Laboratory Equipment Procurement	USD 500,000 provided by KOICA; all equipment procured, installed, and inspected.	Completed
Animal Cell Culture Lab Opening	Official opening and demonstration in conjunction with the 2nd KOICA–ICAB Steering Committee Meeting on Sep 2025	Completed
Training Programs	5 mid-term and 3 short-term training programs completed, covering lab safety, management, and instrumentation use.	Completed
Academic Degree Programs	4 IPB faculty members pursuing Ph.D. degrees at SNU; 3 UNTL faculty members studying at IPB (1 M.Sc. completed in Aug 2025).	Ongoing
Workshops & Forums	Conducted 3 IPB-SNU Green Bio Science Forum and 6 on-site capacity building workshops	Completed
International Collaboration	Established Indonesia-Korea Joint Cooperative Research “Sustainable Silvofishery and Blue Carbon Project (SBC Project)”	Completed
Monitoring & Evaluation	Baseline and midline surveys implemented; annual reports submitted to KOICA.	Regularly Conducted

Outputs so far

The project has delivered measurable outputs across infrastructure, education, research, and cooperation components.

Output Category	Achievements
Infrastructure	Final NICAB architectural design completed. Remodeling of ARLab finished Procurement and installation of equipment for animal cell culture laboratory completed.
Human Resource Development	4 IPB faculty Ph.D. students at SNU. 3 UNTL students at IPB (1 M.Sc. graduated). 8 training programs held for laboratory operation and management.
Research & Education Activities	6 on-site workshops and 2 exhibition with Korean companies 3 Green Bio Science Forums.
Expert Dispatch & Coordination	27 times Korean and Indonesian experts dispatched for technical supervision and training. Steering Committee and M&E missions regularly implemented.
Communication & Visibility	Project website established Promotional brochure and visual materials prepared for dissemination.

Visual Summary – Project Outputs

(Culmulative, 2021-2025)

Training Programs Conducted
8 (5 Mid-term, 3 Short-term)

Expert Dispatch
22 times (technical and management)

Ph.D Candidates at SNU
4 (IPB University Faculty)

UNTL Students at IPB University
3 (2 MS graduated)

Workshop and Forums
9 (6 Workshop and 3 Forums)

Nicab Construction Designed
100% (Construction to be Proceeded)

Laboratory facilities remodeled
100% (Advanced Research Laboratory)

Equipment Installed (Procurement)
100% (Animal Cell Culture Lab)

Expected Long-Term Outcomes and Impacts

Establishment of NICAB as a National Shared Research Facility – providing open access to analytical instruments for universities, industries, and government agencies

Strengthened Human Capital – developing highly skilled researchers and laboratory professionals in bioscience and environmental management.

Enhanced Research and Innovation Capacity – enabling IPB University to conduct advanced research and foster innovation in agriculture, bioscience, and environmental management.

Sustainable Korea–Indonesia–Timor-Leste Cooperation – reinforcing South–South–North collaboration for continued academic exchange and joint research

Contribution to SDGs – advancing SDGs 4 (Quality Education), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Partnerships and Collaborations

The project operates through a multi-layered partnership structure involving academic, governmental, and industrial cooperation:

Partner Category	Institutions and Roles
Funding & Oversight	KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) – provides grant funding, oversees project progress, and conducts periodic evaluations.
Implementing Agency (PMC)	GBST (Institute of Green Bio Science and Technology, SNU) – leads project management, coordinating, research supervision, and training programs.
Host Institution	IPB University – manages on-site operations, construction, and academic integration of NICAB.
Government Partners (Indonesia)	Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology and Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS)
Academic Collaborators	National University of East Timor (UNTL); universities across Indonesia (UI, UGM, UNAIR, USK, USU, UNAND, ITERA, ITK, etc.).
Private Sector Partners	16 Korean research equipment companies (e.g., Bioneer, Park Systems, Hanil BMS, etc.) supporting technology transfer and facility setup.
Outreach & Industry Links	Supported by Daejeon Technopark and Gyeonggi Agro-Fisheries Promotion Agency for promoting academic–industry cooperation.