LIPI researchers reluctant to return home

LIPI researchers reluctant to return home

Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Dedicating your life to science in Indonesia, particularly for a
government institution, remains a difficult choice.

Chairman of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Umar
Anggara Jenie confirmed this on Tuesday when he revealed that 29
researchers who had completed their studies abroad under the
institute's scholarship program refused to return to Indonesia.

"They were sent abroad to take their doctoral in strategic
fields of study. Unfortunately, now they are not willing to work
for LIPI," Umar, told the media on Tuesday after the opening of
the VIII National Congress of Sciences 2003.

The biggest concern of the scientists are funding and
facilities which could help them do research and develop their
knowledge, Umar said.

Umar said most of the scientists considered LIPI incapable of
providing modern and well-equipped laboratories which could help
them to develop or boost inventions.

Earlier, head of LIPI's Planning and Finance Bureau Rochadi
Abdulhadi told The Jakarta Post Indonesian scientists were
underpaid compared to their counterparts in neighboring
countries, for example the Philippines, where scientists earn
about 10 times the salary of Indonesians, according to Rochadi.

"So if let's say Indonesian scientists are paid US$700, those
in the Philippines could get US$7,000 for a similar research.
Don't compare it with Singapore, which certainly would pay even
more," he said.

Umar questioned the moral responsibility of the LIPI
scientists who were reluctant to return home.

"It's true that the scientists are very bright. It is not
surprising that they have been offered the opportunity to conduct
research by the universities where they are studying or other
institutions abroad and that they have accepted the offer,
although they have work contracts with us here," said Umar.

Asked whether LIPI could take an action against them, Umar
said they could if they wished to.

"The agreement actually states that LIPI would pay their
tuition but as soon as they graduate, they have to come back and
work for us," he said.

However, if the institute relies solely on that agreement Umar
worries LIPI would lose more scientists.

"We should set priorities. Either we dismiss them or just let
them do what they want. In one way, they are not asking for their
salaries, so we have nothing to lose. We have decided to just let
things take their course," said Umar.

Umar said he still expected the scientists to come back
someday when Indonesia's economy fully recovers and LIPI can
conduct spectacular, interesting and well-financed research
projects.

Rochadi said at the moment there were about 1,025 scientists
hired by the institute working on both scientific and social
research.