Regional Diplomacy as a Study-Based Policy to Enhance the Capacity of the Research and Development Institutions in West Java

Abstract

This paper intends to review the possibility of research and development institutions in West Java to enhancetheir capacity on the study of regional diplomacy as a study-based policy.It can be said that, up to this point, the concern and action of the research and development institutions in West Java has never or yet to mention regional diplomacy, let alonestudyingor even cultivating the regional diplomacy towards (becoming) a study-based policy. Is it because the main task and function of the research and development institute in West Java is only to serve the internal needs or interests of the organization or corporation or the relevant regional apparatus? Is that important for the research and development institutions in West Java to care about and take part in the regional diplomacy in order for it to become a study-based policy? Is it possible that this concern and action will push theresearch and development institutions to enhancetheir capacity so that they will give strategic significance to the regional diplomacy in West Java, both at the provincial and municipal levels? The things intriguing this curiosity are analyzedwith the dynamics of the research and development institutions in West Java; as well as the direction of diplomacyefforts in West Java; and the following relations between them. For this reason, the conceptualization of regional diplomacy needs to be built adequately. This research uses qualitative methods and data collection techniques through interviews with a number of relevant informants from the government, community or private sector, as well as the university in West Java. It is also enriched by document or literature studies including virtual library sources. The results of this research indicate that the existence of research and development institutions in West Java is still yet to be optimal when assessed in the context of regional diplomacy there, referring to the policy-based studies in its meaning. In addition, research and development institutions in West Java tend to prioritize their functions limited to the regional regulations in providing administrative facilitation or recording institutions. Nevertheless, they are also aware of the importance of increasing the capacity or capability of research and development institutions in order tobe strategic enough for the regional diplomacy.