On June 10, 2026, Dr. Nugroho Adi Sasongko, Director of the Research Centre for Sustainable Industrial and Manufacturing System at The National Research and Innovation Agency of The Republic of Indonesia (BRIN), visited Northeastern University and delivered a guest lecture titled From Critical Minerals to Semiconductors: Indonesia’s Integrated Downstreaming, Resources, Manufacturing and the Indo-Pacific.
The lecture focused on the growing strategic importance of critical minerals in the context of the global energy transition, electrification, electric vehicle development, artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing. Dr. Nugroho introduced Indonesia’s mineral resource endowments, its national downstreaming strategy, and the role of industrial transformation in strengthening regional economic development and cooperation across the Indo-Pacific. He highlighted that global demand for critical minerals is expected to grow substantially toward 2040, driven by clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing and digital industries, and emphasized the importance of developing resilient and sustainable industrial supply chains that connect mineral resources, processing, manufacturing and high-value technologies such as semiconductors. He also highlighted the role of Chinese investment and industry cooperation in supporting Indonesia’s downstreaming efforts, particularly in the nickel and battery sectors.
The lecture attracted faculty members, researchers and students from Northeastern University, including students from Indonesia and other international programs. Among the attendees were students from the Trilateral Talent Cultivation Program jointly established by Northeastern University, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co., Ltd., and Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development. The program aims to cultivate metallurgical engineering talent for Indonesia’s growing nickel industry. During the question-and-answer session, Dr. Nugroho encouraged students to build strong technical expertise and to play an active role in supporting international exchange, industrial cooperation and sustainable development.
Following the lecture, Dr. Nugroho visited the School of Metallurgy, where he joined a discussion with Vice Dean Professor NiPeiyuan, faculty members and student representatives. During the visit, Dr. Nugroho met Vice President of Northeastern University Professor Xu Wei and the NEU Mining GIS & Environmental Remote Sensing Group representatives Professor Bao Nisha and Professor Alex Lechner, discussing prospective cooperation covering critical minerals, sustainable industry, mining, remote sensing and China-Indonesian academic exchanges. Dr. Nugroho’s visit provided an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration between NEU, BRIN and Indonesian partners in research, education and international cooperation.