Instill a love of science and technology: Soeharto<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian scientists should not only develop
\ntechnology, but also help instill a love of science and
\ntechnology in members of the public, President Soeharto said
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
Addressing the inauguration of the Biotech Center in Serpong,
\nWest Java, Soeharto also spoke of the need to awaken the
\nindustrial sector to the importance of science and technology.<\/p>\n
\"Today, only a small number of our industries rely on
\n(scientific development), and so we need to increase it,\" he told
\nleading members of the Indonesian Academy of Science and the
\nNational Research Council at the ceremony.<\/p>\n
The US$32-million Biotech Center is a facility for bio-
\nindustry research and development. Though inaugurated yesterday,
\nit has been in operation since last April.<\/p>\n
The center comes under the supervision of the Agency for the
\nAssessment and Application of Technology, which is chaired by
\nState Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie.<\/p>\n
The center is located inside the Center for the Development of
\nScience and Technology in Serpong, West Java.<\/p>\n
Soeharto said that the center should also impress upon the
\nyounger generation the idea that some could find successful
\nfutures through a command of science and technology.<\/p>\n
\"That's why I'm hoping that universities will also be able to
\nmake use of the facilities, both to increase student ability and
\nto provide opportunities for graduates after school,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Only if such steps are followed will Indonesia meet future
\nscientific and technological challenges, he said.<\/p>\n
Soeharto went on to say that science and technology
\ndevelopment should help boost exports by improving production
\nmethods, thereby increasing their competitiveness.<\/p>\n
\"This can be done by establishing cooperation programs between
\nresearch institutes and relevant industrial sectors,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"I call on businesses and those in the private sector whose
\nroles in economic development are growing to improve cooperation
\nand make use of research centers for production development,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
In addition, research centers should be upgraded to meet the
\nneeds of the industrial sector, Soeharto said, adding that
\nbiotechnology is one of today's most promising technologies.<\/p>\n
\"The mastery, use and development (of biotechnology) is very
\nstrategic because it is needed for both agriculture and
\nindustrial sectors,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Industries which make use of biotechnology are developing
\nrapidly and finding their products in great demand, he added.<\/p>\n
The Biotech Center will focus on industrial and agricultural
\napplications of biotechnology in the areas of antibiotics,
\nvitamins, plantation and crop seedling, embryo transfer and
\nfishery cytology.<\/p>\n
It has also been developing programs in cooperation with
\nforeign institutions. (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/instill-a-love-of-science-and-technology-soeharto-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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