Less women in higher education
DENPASAR: Notwithstanding the number of women in higher education, gender equity is declining, says a top official.
"Gender equity should therefore be focused on the implementation of regional autonomy," said H. Yusuf, the deputy for gender equity at Office of the State Minister for Women's Empowerment, in Denpasar on Thursday.
Promoting gender equity and women's empowerment is one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) targeted by the United Nations since 2000.
All countries are expected to reduce gender inequity in education at the elementary and intermediate levels by 2005, and at all levels by 2015. --Antara
Jakarta cloud seeding in September
JAKARTA: The Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology (BBPT) revealed on Thursday that it planned to conduct cloud seeding for in the greater Jakarta area and West Java in September to mitigate the adverse consequences of the current prolonged dry season.
The State Minister for Research and Technology, who also serves as the chairman of the BPPT, Hatta Radjasa, said that Central Java would be next on the agenda.
"Central Java comes next as we have to wait until after the tobacco harvest," the minister told reporters here.
In Jakarta, the project would target Depok municipality, which had been severely hit the drought, Hatta said. -- Antara
Fishing industry to be developed
JAKARTA: Gorontalo is set to develop a fishing industry in the Tomini Gulf, says Gorontalo governor Fadel Muhamad.
President Megawati Soekarnoputri is slated to inaugurate the project in October, Fadel told reporters on Thursday after a meeting with the President at the State Palace.
An agency will be set up to develop the industry in the gulf, which is bounded by Gorontalo, North Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi provinces.
The President gave her approval for the establishment of the agency after a lengthy explanation on the need to assess the performance of the integrated economic zone in the three provinces.
"She (Megawati) has agreed to the proposal, and she can rest assured that it will not add to the operating costs of companies," he said. -- Antara