Jakarta, INTI - Two Indonesian researchers, Yustinus Seno and Serliah Nur, received two of the four Indroyono Soesilo Award 2026 honors at the closing ceremony of the 47th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS) in New Delhi, India, on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Both researchers were recognized for their innovations in remote sensing, including research on mapping Indonesia’s forest ecosystems and applying geospatial technology to preserve regional languages.
According to a statement from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington, received in Jakarta on Sunday, October 18, 2026, the awards recognize scientific contributions to the advancement of remote sensing technology.
Yustinus Seno received the top award, while Serliah Nur earned an Honorable Mention.
Yustinus Seno Wins Top Award for Mapping Indonesia’s Forests
Yustinus Seno of Auriga Nusantara Corp. received the top Indroyono Soesilo Award 2026 for his research titled MapBiomas Indonesia: Annual Wall-to-Wall Mapping of Forest Ecosystem in Indonesia.
The study developed annual maps of Indonesia’s forest ecosystems covering the period from 1990 to 2024.
Yustinus used Landsat satellite data to monitor changes in forest ecosystem conditions across various regions of Indonesia.
Cloud computing and machine learning were also employed to process and analyze the mapping data.
This approach enables the development of spatial information on Indonesia’s forest ecosystems over a period spanning more than three decades.
The research was among the projects recognized at the international Asian remote sensing conference.
Serliah Nur Recognized for Regional Language Mapping Innovation
Another Indonesian researcher, Serliah Nur, received an Honorable Mention for her research on language vitality and revitalization planning in Tana Luwu, South Sulawesi.
The study combines Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with sociolinguistic analysis.
Geospatial technology is used to map the status of regional languages and support the development of language preservation strategies.
The approach demonstrates how remote sensing and geographic information technologies can be applied beyond environmental monitoring and natural resource management.
Through this research, Serliah received international recognition for using spatial technology to support regional language preservation.
Researchers from Japan and India Also Receive Indroyono Soesilo Awards
In addition to the two Indonesian researchers, the Indroyono Soesilo Award 2026 recognized researchers from Japan and India.
Serenee Osman of Nakanihon Air Co. Ltd., Japan, received the Technical Excellence Award for research on landscape changes caused by the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake.
The research utilized airborne LiDAR technology, satellite imagery, and bathymetric surveys to assess changes in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, Ankitha Reddy of the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), part of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), received the Special Recognition Award.
The award recognized the development of the Bhoonidhi platform, which aims to expand access to Earth observation data.
All four award recipients were recognized for their contributions to applying remote sensing technology across various research fields.
ACRS 2026 Attracts Around 800 Participants from More Than 30 Countries
The 47th ACRS took place in New Delhi, India, from October 12–16, 2026.
The conference carried the theme Remote Sensing for Future Earth: Innovation, Inclusion & Impact.
Approximately 800 participants from more than 30 countries attended the event, bringing together scientists, academics, space agencies, and geospatial industry professionals.
The conference covered eight major research tracks, including sustainable agriculture, geospatial artificial intelligence, satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle technologies, and disaster mitigation.
Discussions also addressed global navigation satellite systems and the use of geospatial data to support public policymaking.
The event was organized through collaboration between the Asian Association on Remote Sensing, the Indian Society of Remote Sensing, and the Indian Society of Geomatics.
Several institutions supported the conference, including ISRO, NRSC, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Award Named After Indonesia’s Ambassador Indroyono Soesilo
The Indroyono Soesilo Award is named after Prof. Dr. Ir. Indroyono Soesilo, a senior Indonesian remote sensing expert recognized as one of the pioneers of the technology’s development in Indonesia.
Indroyono is also one of the founders of the Indonesian Remote Sensing Society (MAPIN).
He currently serves as Indonesia’s Ambassador to the United States.
The award recognizes innovation and research contributions in the field of remote sensing.
For Indonesia, an archipelago comprising more than 17,500 islands, remote sensing plays an important role in forest monitoring, natural resource management, coastal surveillance, agriculture, fisheries, and disaster response.
The achievements of Yustinus Seno and Serliah Nur at ACRS 2026 highlight Indonesia’s growing contributions to international research through the application of geospatial technology to environmental monitoring and regional language preservation.
Conclusion
The achievements of Yustinus Seno and Serliah Nur at ACRS 2026 highlight Indonesia’s growing contribution to global research and technological innovation. Their work demonstrates how remote sensing and geospatial technologies can support both forest ecosystem monitoring and regional language preservation, reinforcing the role of digital innovation in addressing environmental and cultural challenges.
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