The forum was founded in 1995 as the Indonesian Sedimentologists Forum (FOSI). This organization is a communication and discussion forum for geologists, especially for those who deal with sedimentology and sedimentary geology in Indonesia. The forum was accepted as the sedimentological commission of the Indonesian Association of Geologists (IAGI) in 1996. FOSI currently has around more than 1000 members by 2024, including industrial and academic fellows as well as students.
FOSI has close international relations with the Society of Sedimentary Geology (SEPM) and the International Association of Sedimentologists (IAS). Fellowship is open to those holding a recognized degree in geology or a cognate subject, non-graduates who have at least two years relevant experience, and anyone interested in sedimentology.
History
The intention to found FOSI began when Prof. Yahdi Zaim attended the Regional Meeting of the International Association of Sedimentologists (IAS) in Leuven, Belgium in 1986. The conference showcased remarkable advancements in sedimentology, particularly towards quantitative sedimentology. Many presentations highlighted the quantitative aspects of sedimentation processes based on outcrop data, core drilling, as well as numerical simulation and computation results. The event inspires the desire to establish an organization similar to IAS, namely an Association of Sedimentologists in Indonesia.
On November 30, 1989, Prof. Yahdi Zaim wrote “The Necessity of an Association of Indonesian Sedimentologists: A Thought and Proposal.” This writing was entrusted to Prof. R.P. Koesoemadinata to be presented at the Pertemuan Ilmiah Tahunan (Annual Scientific Meeting) IAGI in Yogyakarta, December 1989. However, due to the atmosphere of the PIT, it was not feasible for Prof. Koesoemadinata to present it at the IAGI plenary session at that time. The manuscript was returned. Afterward, along with Herman Darman, they discussed and matured the idea for the establishment of a platform for Indonesian sedimentologists.
On separate occasions, Herman Darman also attended the British Sedimentology Research Group seminar in Aberdeen in 1994. This meeting also inspired the formation of the Indonesian sedimentology association. Finally, in 1995, Prof. Yahdi Zaim and Herman Darman formed the sedimentology organization named FOSI (Forum of Indonesian Sedimentologists).
In essence, the purpose and objective of FOSI’s formation were to establish an organization as a platform, which in this case serves as a forum for Indonesian sedimentologists and other related fields to meet. These meetings are necessary for communication, sharing ideas, concepts, as well as work and research findings in the field of sedimentology to develop sedimentology, particularly, and geology in general, in Indonesia.