Cooperation in science and technology between Australia and Indonesia took another important step forward following the opening of the Indonesia Science Capacity Building Workshop, a statement released by the Australian embassy said here on Tuesday.

The workshop is a joint initiative between Questacon, Australia 's National Science and Technology Centre, PP-IPTEK (the Science and Technology Centre of Indonesia) and the San Francisco Exploratorium.

Australian Deputy Head of Mission to Indonesia Dr David Engel, who officially opened the workshop, said he was excited that Questacon, a world-leader in science centre outreach activities, supported the development of science education in Indonesia.

"Science education centers play such an important role in broadening and deepening the public's knowledge and understanding of science and technology and in encouraging young people to study science, math and engineering, critical disciplines for a nation's economic and social development," Dr Engel said in the statement.

"For Australia, collaboration with Asia in science and research will be an increasingly important part of our future. Last month, our Government launched a new policy called Australia in the Asian Century, which sets out a roadmap aimed at forging closer bonds with our Asian neighbors."

"This will involve strengthening university, science and research ties in Indonesia, encouraging more Australian students to study here and developing an Australian tertiary education system and research capability that is among the world's best," he said.

The Director of PP-IPTEK, Dr Sukro Muhab, said the three-way collaboration would provide a great opportunity and benefit to improve the competence and skills of staff at science centers throughout Indonesia in idea development and innovation, and to spread the use of science and technology to the people of Indonesia.

The workshop began on Monday, to run until Nov. 30 at PP-IPTEK, Jakarta. It is the first phase of a proposed three-year capability development program.

The program will give Indonesian science centre staff valuable professional development opportunities both in Australia, at Questacon and the Australian National University,and with the Exploratorium in the United States.