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)