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