The quest for high-technology

The quest for high-technology

President Soeharto has reminded us that an advanced and
prosperous nation is one which commands science and technology.
The President advises Indonesian children to master science and
technology so that they will be able to make the nation
prosperous.

The question of promoting science and technology cannot be
separated from the degree to which private entrepreneurs are
willing to support such a program. Private businesses have both
the money and an interest in their advancement. The problem is
that the existing realities show that few of them are actively
interested in developing technology.

Many hurdles are still in the way of our children mastering
science and technology. Cost is the main constraint since
education is becoming more and more an expensive commodity. The
assumption is growing among our people that education, that is
affordable, is also by necessity low in quality, and visa versa.

Our children have a long way to go before they can master
science and technology. And also what the condition of the road
they have to travel will depend, to a very large extent, on what
we do at present. If the contradiction in attitude mentioned
above continues to persist, then it may be difficult for us to
produce Indonesians of caliber within the coming century.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta