Students introduced to marine life

JAKARTA: Seventy students, who have been selected from various high schools in Jakarta, are taking part in a four-day training course organized by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences.

The course, which opened at the institute's marine research headquarters at Ancol, North Jakarta, yesterday aims at providing basic knowledge on marine resources.

Sulistijo, chairman of the organizing committee, said the students will have the opportunity to observe marine life at the institute's laboratory on the Pari Island, North Jakarta.

Commenting on the program, Anugerah Nontji, head of the institute's research and development center for oceanology, said the training program also aims at reminding students of Indonesian ancestors' glorious past as seafarers.

Anugerah said that Indonesia's development programs still focus on land although its seas, which constitute most of its territory, have tremendous resources yet to be exploited.

"We have somewhat overlooked marine development," he said. (05)