On 8 January 2009 at the meeting room of the Department of National Education in Jakarta, the transfer of authority of SEAMEO BIOTROP Director has been conducted from Prof. Dr. Handoko to Dr. Bambang Purwantara, DVM., MSc. witnessed by H.E. the Minister of Education, Prof. Dr. Bambang Sudibyo, MBA.  At the same time the Minister also inaugurated four officials of the Department of National Education.

SEAMEO BIOTROP is one of the 15 regional centers under the Southeast Asian Ministry of Education (SEAMEO). The activities cover research, training, networking, and personnel exchange and information dissemination in tropical biology.

Prof. Dr. Handoko occupied the post of Director for 2 periods (2003-2008).  Dr. Bambang Purwantara will assume the post of Director for a period of 2009-2011 based on the Decision Letter of the President of SEAMEO Council. Dr. Bambang is a senior lecturer of the Department of Veterinary Clinic, Reproduction and Pathology, Bogor Agricultural Institute.

During the leadership of Prof Dr. Handoko, many achievements have been reached among others pioneering the BIOTROP initiative to support the education program through the establishment of Bogor Science Park and involvement in education for sustainable development through Regional Centre of Expertise. BIOTROP efforts to obtain ISO 9001:2000 certificate to be awarded early this year after the achievement of ISO/IEC 17025:2000 certificate in 2006 will strongly support BIOTROP mission to become a centre of excellence.

In his address Prof. Dr. Bambang Sudibyo, MBA. said that  the research  activities of  BIOTROP in the field of tropical biology could be increased to support national development.

Hence, the Minister explained that the food and energy crisis problem faced by the world presently needs a technological way out  which could increase the quality and value added of food and energy. SEAMEO BIOTROP as a regional centre is supposed to participate in solving the problem.