Herry Jogaswara from Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency: Cultural Heritage Can Be a Catalyst for Creative Economic Growth
- CAobservation
- Aug 5
- 5 min read
Herry Jogaswara, who heads the Research Organization for Archeology, Language, and Literature at the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency, recently gave an interview to China-ASEAN Observation. He explored the opportunities and challenges involved in safeguarding Indonesia’s cultural heritage, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies in archeology and language studies, and the integrated development of heritage, tourism, and the creative industries. He also looked into the prospects for closer cooperation between China and Indonesia in cultural heritage research.
A long-standing scholar of Indonesian archeology, languages, and literature, Jogaswara has devoted particular attention to cultural heritage conservation, the digitization of ancient manuscripts, and the historical exchanges between Indonesia and neighboring civilizations. He believes that cultural heritage is more than a cornerstone of national identity. It can also contribute to the growth of the creative economy and open up new possibilities for cultural cooperation across the region.
Indonesia has a wealth of archeological sites, languages, and cultural heritage. What do you see as the greatest opportunities and challenges in safeguarding this heritage today?
Herry Jogaswara: Indonesia is extraordinarily rich in cultural heritage. One of the most important opportunities we have is to draw on that heritage to reinforce a shared sense of national identity. We are also looking at how heritage can contribute more to the development of the creative economy. Heritage is not simply something inherited from the past. It can create real value today by supporting tourism, inspiring creative products and industries, and advancing local economic growth. Several government bodies are already working in this area. The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, for instance, maintains offices in every province to oversee the protection and management of cultural heritage. Our research institutions are also expanding their studies of heritage in different parts of the country. These efforts give Indonesia a solid basis on which to build its future heritage work.
At the same time, the challenges are substantial. Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, and its heritage sites are scattered across a vast geographical landscape. Reaching, documenting, and managing them effectively will remain a long-term undertaking. Another challenge is the shortage of professionals. Heritage research, protection, and preservation all depend on people with the right expertise and technical skills. We also need stronger and more effective governance mechanisms to manage heritage resources that are so widely dispersed. It is equally important to build professional talent teams. Even so, I believe Indonesia’s cultural authorities now have a much clearer sense of what needs to be done and how these challenges should be tackled.
Digital technology is reshaping archeology and language research. Could you give us some examples of how digital technologies such as AI and virtual reality are being used in these fields?
Herry Jogaswara: We are closely following advances in new technology. Our agency has also established a specialist research organization dedicated to AI. Let me give you two examples. The first is the use of AI to help identify and reconstruct ancient stone carvings. Many of these artifacts are incomplete, so restoration often involves scanning large volumes of data on stone fragments held in different locations. AI can then help us recognize, compare, and match the fragments. We have already worked with a museum in the Netherlands on research of this kind. The second example is the digitization of ancient manuscripts, an important area of language and literature studies. We place particular emphasis on digitization because paper manuscripts are extremely fragile, especially in Indonesia, where natural disasters are relatively frequent. Floods and other disasters can cause irreplaceable manuscripts to be lost forever. By digitizing them in advance, we can preserve as much of the information and knowledge they contain as possible. This is a major reason why we are working to expand the use of digital technologies. Ultimately, whether we are using AI or digitization, the aim is to give cultural heritage safer and more lasting protection.
How can cultural heritage be brought together with tourism and the creative industries? Could you share any successful examples from Indonesia?
Herry Jogaswara: Cultural heritage has enormous potential within the creative economy, and tourism is one of the clearest examples. Borobudur Temple Compounds is a particularly successful case in Indonesia. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it draws large numbers of visitors each year. The economic benefits are not limited to the monument itself. They also extend to nearby communities and local residents. The area also has a thriving batik industry. Batik is an essential part of Indonesian traditional culture, as you can see from what I am wearing today. Today, researchers are increasingly looking at how to develop batik designs with stronger cultural identities. That process is itself an important part of the creative economy.
I also spoke in my presentation about a concept known as “storynomics”. In simple terms, it means using cultural stories to generate economic value. Stories about temples, burial sites, and archeological remains can encourage people to visit the places connected with them. Very often, visitors are drawn not only by the physical site, but by the stories of history and civilization that give it meaning.
What prospects do you see for cooperation between China and Indonesia in cultural heritage research and conservation? Which areas would you particularly like the two countries to work on together?
Herry Jogaswara: Coming from a research background, I would first like to see closer technological cooperation, especially in the use of AI for archeology, language studies, and literary research. China has developed highly advanced capabilities in this area. I have seen robots and many applications combining culture and technology during my visit. They are especially impressive. A second promising area is the study of ancient manuscripts based on technological collaboration. Indonesia has an enormous wealth of manuscript materials, and digital technology can greatly support their research. Third, we could also look more deeply into the early history of contact between China and Indonesia. Much of what we currently know is still discussed in fairly broad terms. Archeological sites, however, can help us develop a much fuller understanding of this shared history. For instance, archeological remains from China dating back to the seventh century C.E. have already been found in Sumatra. Such discoveries show that exchanges between China and Indonesia began much earlier than many people may realize. I genuinely hope that dialogues and exchanges like this will create new possibilities for closer cooperation in the years ahead. The way research is published and communicated is also part of cultural and creative work. We therefore need to continue exploring how academic findings can be presented in ways that are easier for the wider public to understand and engage with.
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