Indonesia to host Asian Physics Olympiad

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will host the first Asian Physics Olympiad as it attempts to increase students' interest in the subject, an official said on Friday.

Director General of Elementary and Secondary Education Indra Djati Sidi said the event would serve as a forum to promote physics among students.

Physicists have expressed concern about the widening gap in the ratio of physicists compared to the country's population.

"Right now we only have 600 physicists who hold doctorates. Ideally we should have 100,000 physicists with the same qualification, considering our 200 million citizens," physicist Yohannes Surya said.

Yohannes will head the Indonesian team at the Asian Physics Olympiad, which will be held from April 24 to May 2 at the Pelita Harapan school in Karawaci, Tangerang.

Yohannes said 17 countries had confirmed their participation in the event, including the People's Republic of China, India, Singapore, Taiwan and Australia, which will attend as a guest participants.

Yohannes said there were 1,900 high school students who initially applied for the event, out of which 35 were picked to take part in the final selection held in Jakarta. After a one- month process, eight students were selected for the Olympiad.

According to organizers, a number of special programs will highlight the event.

About 600 Indonesian physics teachers will hold a conference to discuss the physics curriculum. Other programs include a science fair and talk shows.

The Asian Physics Olympiad will serve as a warm-up for the 31st International Physics Olympiad in Leicester, England, in July.

Indonesia has experienced some success in the international event, winning a gold medal in last year's Olympiad in Padova, Italy. (08)