Indonesia in need of 10,000 IT experts

Indonesia in need of 10,000 IT experts

JAKARTA (JP): More and more job vacancies for information
technology (IT) professionals are opening up everyday.

Rough estimates cite as many as 10,000 IT professionals are
needed in this country. But unfortunately there are simply not
enough qualified people for the job, an IT lecturer said on
Friday.

"Many companies complain about how difficult it is to find an
IT specialist that meets their requirements," said Poerwanto, an
IT observer and lecturer in several universities including the
University of Indonesia (UI).

To overcome the problem, Poerwanto said, the companies have
sought to hire specialists from foreign countries like Singapore,
Malaysia and Taiwan.

"It is such an irony because Singapore and also Australia
often look for IT specialists here because many of their
specialists have moved to the United States," he added.

This dilemma prompted Poerwanto to open avenues for qualifying
IT specialists. He went back to his old campus, Bandung Institute
of Technology (ITB), to propose such a program.

For the 2000/2001 academic year, the Institute is now offering
the country's first masters program in information technology.

The program in itself seems quite unique.

Collaborated with Lippo Cikarang Techno Park in Tangerang,
Program Director Sularso described the new program as "three-in-
one".

"It offers education, research and development and business
skills," he told journalists during the formal announcement of
the program here on Friday.

In 18 months, students are expected to learn about information
systems, computer systems, information networks, multimedia, e-
commerce and IT business.

Students will alternate in two locations, between the
Institutes campus in Bandung and Lippo Cikarang in Tangerang.

Enrollment began June 12 and will last until July 22 at the
ITB campus.

Poerwanto refuted suggestions that the Rp 42 million
(US$4,940) tuition fee for an 18 month program is too expensive.

"Compare that with attending an IT seminar which will cost you
up to Rp 1.5 million for a two hour session. It is certainly not
expensive," he said, adding that the program is also offering a
scholarship.

The goal, Poerwanto said, is to produce professionals that
will establish their own companies.

"In the United States, this has helped boost the economy. Many
university graduates establish their own IT business at home and
make a lot of money," he said. (09)