Commemorating the Can-Do of Science in EWINDO’s Science Day

Imagine you are a perfectionist who loves to eat healthy vegetables! What is the perfect vegetable condition you would score 10 out of 10?

You might want a fresh crunchy salad, shining red and fleshy tomatoes, or juicy sweet watermelon. And those can be granted by advanced research.

In East West Seed Indonesia (EWINDO), Research & Development (R&D) has been optimally working on finding the best variety of vegetables to meet the end consumers’ needs.

From the field to the laboratory and back to the market, it needs harmonized integration with nature and science. Therefore, our organization invests a huge proportion of expenses for R&D’s advanced technology to invent high-quality vegetable seeds. Not to mention that we also care about our talented human resources within.

Speaking of human resources in R&D, we would like to highlight the lifetime story of EWINDO from this special person’s perspective. Let us welcome Asep Harpenas, our Research & Development Director!

He has been with our organization since Day 1! Yes, Day 1, in 1990, when it was founded. He witnesses the growth of EWINDO from the beginning. Over these 32 years, Asep sees our R&D doing its best to provide reliable horticulture seeds. From an internal perspective, Asep regards seeds, our product, as the blood of this company, which needs to be rejuvenated to stay alive. Furthermore, we have issues emerging over the years in the field, such as insect infestation, climate change, viruses, etc., pushing our organization to be agile in finding the solution. Additionally, from a market perspective, we must stay awake to catch up with global seed development.

During his time in the organization, the moment that gave Asep butterflies the most was when our product was accepted by our best friend, farmers, and helped them achieve better prosperity. It is as if he feels a father's pride seeing his kids acing complex subjects. In Asep’s eyes, some strengths keep our R&D surviving and sustaining in the dynamic science world: creative, high level of eagerness and agile. Despite his loaded experience over the years, Asep has a high curiosity in?observing the youth’s role in science. He is amazed to see how the youth in R&D has been demonstrating a growth mindset, resulting in out-of-the-box ideas. Asep believes that once the youth is supported by a dynamic, creative and agile environment, they can cope with the challenges, resulting in a quantum leap.?

Besides the importance of youth’s role, EWINDO’s R&D also considers women’s powerful impact in science. Based on Asep’s perspective, women are incredibly mindful and multitasking and able to give a distinctive perspective compared to men. These characteristics tend to give women the ability to create better collaboration. EWINDO’s R&D recognition of women’s power and advances is signified by a slightly higher number of women leaders in R&D, compared to other divisions in EWINDO.

Time is running and the world is revolving. Our R&D realizes that harmonization is another thing to highlight, for instance, with art. On 6 March 2023, we held a Science Day, themed ‘Harmonizing Science and Art’. Backgrounded by critical challenges in the local and global horticulture sector, we consider integrating advanced technology and innovative culture to be headmost. By harmonizing science and art, we expect to stimulate the creativity of our researchers in providing a product that meets the world's need. It aims to reinforce our organization to be more resilient, unique and prepared to encounter future challenges for the sake of Indonesian farmers and healthy consumers. This year’s Science Day is the 2nd time, following the success of the 1st Science Day held in 2019. The objective is to provide opportunities and appreciate the scientific and innovative work of R&D researchers who have contributed positively to the business processes in our organization. The event enables seven finalists, selected out of 29 participants, to present their research to non-scientific judges (among Board of Directors) within 3 minutes. Besides the finalists’ 3-minute presentation, the event also provides exciting sessions such as a poster exhibition, R&D Art Gallery, a talk show, and an appreciation session for R&D women researchers who dedicate their work to science. Find out more about the fun of EWINDO’s Science Day in the pictures below!