Indonesia contributes little to world science
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is contributing little to the international science and technology community, a government official said recently.
"Many of our scientists love to give speeches, but not conduct research or write articles," said Mien Ahmad Rivai, an assistant to the minister of research and technology.
He pointed out that many so-called scientific works in the country are so poor that the international scientific community fails to recognize them. Of the 6,000 scientific works published here every year, fewer than 15 percent meet rigorous scientific research standards.
"Of the 15 percent, only two or three publications are recognized by the international scientific community," he said.
Indonesia's contribution to the international science community is currently 0.012 percent, while Malaysia's is 0.064 percent, Singapore's 0.176 percent, Japan's 8.24 percent, and the United States' 30 percent.
"For a country with a population of more than 190 million, this is a crisis," he said.
The office of the Minister of Research and Technology recently held a meeting with 60 local publishers to encourage them to upgrade their publication standards.
Rivai dismissed the suggestion that limited funding for research is to blame for the poor quality of local research.
In 1993, the government introduced a "one-door policy" which requires that all research proposals be submitted to and approved by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Many proposals don't pass muster, Rivai said, and so a great amount of funds allocated by the government for scientific research are never used.
Rivai's statements were contrary to the explanations of other officials. Deputy chairman of the National Development Planning Board Rahadi Ramelan said that last year, for instance, there was a severe shortage of funding for research projects in all government agencies.
Compared to other Asian countries, Indonesia ranked lowest in the provision of funds allocated for the development of science and technology.
The funds allocated for science and technology, including research activities, in the past few fiscal years increased by only 30 percent, from Rp 701 billion (US$3,000) in 1993/94, to Rp 871 billion in 1994/95, and Rp 1.182 trillion in 1995/96.
Proportionally, the increase represents only 0.23 percent, 0.26 percent and 0.31 percent of the gross domestic product. It is expected that Indonesia will not be able to achieve the ideal proportion until the year 2018.
The research and technology ministry will hold a national meeting on research and technology from Aug. 10 to 13 in Serpong, West Java. Among the topics to be discussed will be human resources development as well as maritime and aerospace technology.
In addition, the office will sponsor a research and technology exhibition at the Jakarta Fairgrounds in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, from Aug. 10 to 16. President Soeharto will open the fair. (01)