Assessing Jakarta as an Interactive Science and Social Project Center of Chulalongkorn University Jakarta is the largest and the capital city of Indonesia locates on the northwest coast of the island of Java. It is the first overseas project site for the Interactive Science and Social Project of the BSAC program. Intuon Intatisan, Mayuree Saipoti, Phat Pichitwarayut, Patrapoom Phanutaiwat Assessing Jakarta as an Interactive Science and Social Project Center of Chulalongkorn University An Interactive Science and Social Project (ISSP) Submitted to the Faculty of CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY In partial of the fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science In cooperation with Prof. Siripastr Jayanta, BSAC programs Submitted on February 26, 2018 Submitted by: Intuon Intatisan, Mayuree Saipoti, Patrapoom Phanutaiwat, Phat Pichitwarayut Submitted to Prof. Supawan Tantayanon, Chulalongkorn University Prof. Numpon Insin, Chulalongkorn University This report represents the work of four Chulalongkorn University students submitted to the faculty as evidence of the completion of the degree requirements. 1 Abstract This feasibility study, prepared for the Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry (BSAC) Program, details how the city of Jakarta, Indonesia could serve as the program’s first international project center for Interactive Science and Social Project (ISSP). Through interviews with the BSAC and WPI faculty, we outlined the characteristics of a successful project center. This information guided our work as we interacted with potential project partners and evaluated accommodation options, modes of transportations, food selection, and basic operational expenses to run a project center in Jakarta. We met with eight potential project sponsoring organizations and identified some potential project themes. Based on the predetermined characteristics and the evaluation data, we recommend that the BSAC program to operate a new project center in Jakarta, Indonesia. 2 Acknowledgements We would like to express our special thanks and gratitude to everyone involved in the completion of this project. Our investigation could not have been accomplished without the help and guidance received from numerous supporters. First, we would like to thank our project advisors, Professor Supawan Tantayanon, and Professor Numpon Insin for providing academic, moral support and guiding us throughout our entire ISSP experience. Through the countless Line calls, video calls and emails, both advisors have supported and directed our team continuously. Secondly, we would like to thank our project sponsor, Professor Siripastr Jayanta who represents the BSAC Program, for her unwavering support and advice through interviews and meetings throughout the project. Her advice helped us shape our data into meaningful results. Finally, we would like to recognize State University of Jakarta for their support. Special thanks to Assistant Professor Yuli Rahmawati and all volunteered UNJ students who assisted and accompanied us on our trips and their countless advice during our stay in Jakarta. 3 Acronyms BSAC Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry WPI Worcester Polytechnic Institute IQP Interactive Qualifying Project ISSP Interactive Science and Social Project UNJ State University of Jakarta IGSD Interdisciplinary Global Studies Division ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations CBD Central Business District BRT Bus Rapid Transit NGO Non-Governmental Organization MRT Mass Rapid Transit LRT Light Rail Transit IKIP Jakarta Institute of Teaching and Education USD United States Dollars RP Rupiah CEO Chief Executive Officer SCG Siam Cement Group 4 Executive Summary Interactive Science and Social Project (ISSP) is a mandatory course for third-year students of the BSAC program. It challenges students by relating social needs or concerns to specific issues raised by social, humanity, and technology. Students are able to apply theory to practice in every aspect of their projects. In the process, they gain practical life experience and develop professional skills which serves the purpose set by BSAC. Since 2007, there have been approximately 130 successful projects in Thailand. To further expand the global network to broaden cultural insights and to develop tangible communication skills for future students, BSAC is looking to open a new project center overseas. Initially, BSAC selected the city of Jakarta, Indonesia for this purpose. Our team was selected to help BSAC identify and evaluate all characteristics of Jakarta to see if it fits for an overseas project center. Our approaches were set as follows: Objective 1: To understand the characteristics of a successful project center Objective 2: To evaluate suitable living and logistics factors for students Objective 3: To create and document a network of the potential sponsors Objective 4: To produce media for promoting the ISSP in Jakarta Methodology Our team began by interviewing Professor Richard F. Vaz, an ex-Director of WPI Global Project Program, WPI advisor to Bangkok in term C-2018, and ISSP advisors for their insights on a successful project program and logistics. We researched the WPI website and IQP reports to identify the characteristics and qualities of a successful and popular project center. To obtain background information on target customers, we surveyed BSAC sophomores on what they know about ISSP, their interest in research topics, and their perspective on Indonesia. During our one month stay in Jakarta, we evaluated accommodation choices and features, transportation options, food choices, and local attractions. Criteria were set by the opinions of eight BSAC students who spent one month in Jakarta. Project expenses were estimated from cost accrued for a one month living period. Prior to leaving for Jakarta, we screened some organizations in Indonesia that focus their business on sustainability, environmental, education, and social impact. We sent out electronic promotional media introducing the ISSP program and making request for a dialogue in seeking common interest for future collaborations. Lastly, we collected all the results and inserted some interesting points in the video clip which we released on our official YouTube channel. We also created an Instagram account to provide updates on our daily experience. After, the media had been published, we sent post surveys to the same BSAC sophomores to measure the effect of the media which provided ISSP knowledge and got their 5 perspective. The main purpose of the media is to help future BSAC students understand more about ISSP and to increase the possibility of interest by promoting living experience and some project details. Results Finding#1: The key characteristics of a suitable project center are living logistics, project structure quality, and student interest From our interview with key stakeholders, we concluded that the key components of a successful project center are living logistics including accommodation, transportation, safety and cost of living. Project structure quality included the workplace, sponsoring organization, local coordinator, project advisor, and students’ interest. We used those three components to assess Jakarta as an ISSP project center. Finding#2: The characteristics of suitable accommodation for students are safety, neighborhood, cost, amenities, accessibility to transportation, and facilities provided. From researching online booking websites and conducting an on-site investigation of Jakarta and the surrounding area, we come up with key components of suitable accommodation. Safety, neighborhood, cost, amenities, accessibility to transportation, and facilities were the criteria of the evaluation that were weighted differently according to the survey of eight BSAC students who went to Jakarta in January 2019. Among these six elements, safety was the biggest concern for the students with regard to accommodation option, followed by neighborhood, cost, amenities, accessibility to transportation, while the least concern was the facilities provided. Gardenia Boulevard, located in the South Jakarta, was selected as the most suitable accommodation. Finding#3: Grab car is the most efficient and suitable mode of transport for Thai students based on cost, safety, and availability. However, other options are available such as TransJakarta, BlueBird, and Gojek. There are four main options to travel in and around Jakarta which are taxi, bus, motorcycle, and train. We considered safety, cost, time saving, and accessibility as our evaluation criteria. We based our conclusion on internet reviews and our actual experience and decided that GrabCar is the most efficient and most suitable for Thai students due to the affordable price, safety, and round the clock accessibility. Finding#4: Food options in Indonesia are numerous, affordable, and similar in price to Bangkok. Living in Jakarta is similar to Bangkok. You can easily find groceries. Dining out is very affordable, and the food is clean and safe. With regards to groceries, it is easy and convenient for students to obtain a variety of essential items. For dining out, the price range is between 33 Baht to 212 Baht per menu. This price depends on the location of which you choose to eat. Finding#5: There is a wide range of potential local organizations that can become partners of the Jakarta Project Center. These organizations are interested or focus in environmental issues, education, and sustainable business. 6 During our stay in Jakarta, we reached out to eleven organizations