LIPI scientific contest reaps young researchers
P.C. Naommy The Jakarta Post Jakarta
The National Institute of Sciences (LIPI) initiated a scientific contest years ago to raise public awareness of the work of young researchers.
"Through the contest, people learn to appreciate scientific work and we can also discover bright and talented youths who are an asset to our country," said head of LIPI Umar Anggara Jenie, on the sidelines of the announcement of scientific contest winners, broadcast by state-run TVRI on Friday.
In this year's contest it was difficult for the panel of judges to decide which finalist came second, a situation completely different from previous years.
The panel of judges had to decide on three first-place winners from among contestants in the Teenage Research Competition (PPRI).
"We have three winners for social sciences and human rights. It's a great surprise for us," said Wahyuddin Latunreng, head of the organizing committee of the contest.
He added that it might be common in international contests, but it was great news for Indonesia.
"This is proof that young Indonesians have increased their passion for research and are ready to commit to the challenge of the future."
According to Wahyuddin, the judges based their decision on three substantial basics: performance, idea and original material, which had not been covered before.
The winners and runners-up in all categories received trophies and certificates from LIPI.
The winners of the Best Research category for the Young Scientific Researcher Competition (PPMI) pocketed Rp 20 million (US$2,353) in cash from Bank Mandiri.
Winners and runners-up in the PPRI bagged between Rp 2 million and Rp 5 million in cash.
Daud Samsudewa, the winner in the teen category for technology, told The Jakarta Post that his victory would encourage him to be more serious and creative in the future.
"I want to be a researcher, as it is my calling. I have the dream of boosting Indonesia's farming," said Daud, who had researched fenol compounds used to detect pregnancy in cattle.
He said that many animal breeders, specially the poor, could not afford to buy the substances that cost Rp 20,000 per test to detect pregnancy in their livestock, not to mention the fee of the veterinarian.
His research shows that using fenol technology in detecting pregnancy in cattle would be a lot cheaper, costing about Rp 300 per test, and the farmers could do the process themselves.
All finalists presented their research papers through an assessment process held by the panel of judges on Thursday. I-box
Winners of 2003 National Youth Research Contest)
Best Researcher, Social Science and Culture: Mohammad Zulfan Tadjoeddin The anatomy of social violence in the context of transition: Cases in Indonesia, 1990 to 2001
Best Researcher, Economic Science and Management: Zulkieflimansyah Developing the capability of national technology industry: "The long, winding, and ascending road"
Best Researcher, Natural Science and Environment: Anto Tri Sugiarto Plasma in water and its usage in liquid waste management
Best Researcher, Technology and Engineering: Agus Haryono The development of polymerization in the activity of oxygen molecules Suryadi Ismadji Desorption of Isotherm in super-critical condition from several ester compounds on active carbon
Best Researcher, Medical and Health Science: Dr. Yanri Wijayanti Subroto Imunopatogenesist and antigen introduction to tuberculosis
Winners of 2003 National Student Research Contest (PPRI)
Winners, Social Science and Human Rights (no runner-ups): Charles Jakartans' access to wheat flour
Muhammad Zainal Arifin A truth and reconciliation commission as an alternative solution for serious human rights offenses in Indonesia, 1965 to 1968
Priyo Handoko Analysis of the establishment of new provinces and their impact on the development of regional autonomy
Winner, Natural Science: Noviyan Darmawan Bioinformatical Study: The structural-based searching of the dehidrogenese biosensor glucose enzyme on microbium genome
Winner, Technological Science: Daud Samsudewa The identification of fenol ions in the urine as an alternative detection method in cattle pregnancy