Jakarta-wapresri.go.id. Vice President Jusuf Kalla attended an event to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) at JS Luwansa Hotel in Jakarta on Thursday (Sept. 1).

In his speech at the event, the Vice President said there are many research institutions in Indonesia, but only CSIS that is capable of reaching the age 45 years.

“In order to continue to survive, a research institution like CSIS should be independent, producing quality products, and having a wide network,” he said.

The Vice President said, although CSIS was initially seen as a supporter of the New Order, but such assumption can be refuted with its independence and objectivity.

“A think-tank institution will develop as long as it contributes to the nation,” he said.

The Vice President further conveyed that the current world, including Indonesia, has less smile due to many problems in politics, security, economy, and social. To that end, the Vice President asked CSIS to continue contributing in providing strategic studies for policy makers.

“I hope that CSIS will keep giving its best contribution with other community and intellectuals in solving problems and making progress for the country,” he said.

The embryo of CSIS starts from the discussion and group activity of Indonesian students abroad and student activists in 1960. On September 1, 1971, CSIS was established with the support of Ali Murtopo and Soedjono Hoemardani.

CSIS currently has 60 staff consisting of 25 researchers and 35 administrative staff. Over the span of 45 years, the center has been conducting approximately 350 research in various scientific fields.

In 2015, CSIS was ranked as the best research institution in Southeast Asia for several categories in “Global Go To Think Tank Index” from the University of Pennsylvania, and is the only think tank from Indonesia which entered into 100 best world think tanks.

Also present at the ceremony were Chairman of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa, Founding President and the Vice Chair of the Institute for Strategic and Development Studies (ISDS) Philippines Carolina Hernandez, Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Research Technology, and Higher Education Mohamad Nasir, Minister of Manpower Hanif Dhakiri, Former Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda, the Mayor of Bogor Bima Arya Sugiarto, Anies Baswedan, Ambassador Rizal Sukma, Senior Journalist of Daily Kompas René L Pattiradjawane, and Sandiaga Uno.