President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated Arif Satria, Rector of the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), as the new Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in a ceremony held at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday, November 10, 2025.

Arif replaces Laksana Tri Handoko, who had led the institution since April 28, 2021. His appointment was formalized through Presidential Decree (Keppres) No. 123/P/2025, which was read out by Deputy for Administration and Apparatus at the Ministry of State Secretariat Nanik Purwanti.

“By virtue of Presidential Decree No. 123/P/2025, the President hereby appoints Arif Satria as Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency,” Nanik announced.

Arif arrived at the Presidential Palace complex around 2:30 p.m., dressed in a dark formal suit and traditional peci cap, accompanied by his young daughter. Speaking briefly to reporters, he said he had received the invitation only a few hours earlier.

“I received the invitation at 12:30 p.m. from the Cabinet Secretary,” Arif told journalists when asked about his appearance at the palace.

The swift appointment comes as part of President Prabowo’s broader effort to strengthen Indonesia’s research ecosystem and align innovation policy with national industrial and environmental priorities.

Profile

Arif Satria, 52, is best known as the Rector of IPB University, a position he has held since 2017. He earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural extension from IPB in 1995 and completed a master’s in rural sociology from the same university in 1999.

In 2006, he obtained his Ph.D. in Marine Policy from Kagoshima University, Japan, and later participated in a visiting student program at the Fisheries Center, University of British Columbia, Canada.

His academic career began in 1997 as a lecturer at the Department of Fisheries Socio-Economics, Faculty of Fisheries, IPB. In 2019, he was inaugurated as a full professor in political ecology at the Faculty of Human Ecology.

Beyond academia, Arif has extensive experience in public policy and marine governance. He served as advisor to the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries from 2012 to 2019, and earlier as part of the Minister’s Expert Team between 2001 and 2002.

He also held several key positions in national maritime organizations, including:

* Member of the Supervisory Board of the State Fishing Company (2013–2017)

* Member of the Indonesian Maritime Council (2013–2017)

* Member of the Indonesian Tuna Commission (2012–2014)

* Member of the National Fish Resources Assessment Commission (2008–2011)

As the head of BRIN, Arif will oversee Indonesia’s main research and innovation institution, which integrates various government research bodies into a single agency.

BRIN plays a central role in coordinating scientific research, technology development, and innovation across ministries and industries.

His appointment signals Prabowo’s emphasis on science-based policymaking and the integration of research with national development goals, particularly in agriculture, marine resources, and green technology.