Yohanes Surya makes science fun

Rita A.Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali

When five Indonesian high school students triumphed at the 33rd World Physics Olympiad, nobody felt happier than Yohanes Surya, the team's physics trainer.

"This is the first time Indonesia has achieved such a high accolade since the country took part at the International Physics Olympiad in l996," smiled Yohanes, who could not hide his happiness.

The Indonesian team, comprising five high school students -- Agustinus Peter Sahanggamu, Widagdo Setiawan, Fajar Ardian, who won three gold medals, Christopher Hendriks received a silver medal while Evelyn Mintarno got the bronze.

"I feel extremely happy to see their hard work bearing sweet fruit. Their achievements have proven to the world that Indonesian students are as intelligent and skillful as their counterparts from developed countries," Yohanes.

These students have done their very best, assisted by Yohanes and his team of trainers who had contributed a lot to their success.

"We spent almost a year training these five students to prepare for the Asian and International Physics Olympiad," said the chairman of the Indonesian team.

It was Yohanes who first opened the door for Indonesian students to take part in the International Physics Olympiad. He was a Phd candidate at the College of William Mary in Virginia, the United States in l993 when the College held the World Physics Competition.

"I asked my professor whether I could invite Indonesian students to take part in that event, and he nodded," Yohanes recalled.

Thanks to his efforts, Indonesian students have since carved their names at every international physics competition.

Earlier, when he got his Phd degree, Yohanes was accepted as a scientist at the World's Largest Nuclear Physics Center in Virginia. "I worked there for only six months. It was a boring life," Yohanes recalled.

He later decided to return to Indonesia and set up a team to train Indonesian students who would compete at various physics competitions, including the International Physics Olympiad.

"Many people, including my family and close friends, thought I was crazy, leaving my secure job in the United States only to become a trainer for these students," Yohanes said.

But for this man, there are more important things in life than just gaining financial security and fame.

"Since I was a child, I wanted to do something good for Indonesia. This is probably my small contribution to the country, helping these talented students thrive on the international stage," he said.

Since l994, Yohanes and his colleagues have been assigned by the National Committee to give physics training to the 10 brightest students selected through a annual national physics competition.

"The first thing we had to do was convince both students and teachers that science, especially physics, is not a terrifying and difficult subject," he said.

During 10 months of training, these students were encouraged to carry out various scientific experiments and went through plenty of exams at graduate level.

"Although the materials were quite difficult, we tried to present them in fascinating and attractive ways so they would become curious to learn and explore more," he said.

The present education system in Indonesian does not give much space for students or teachers to give inspiring science lessons in classes.

"Science is about everyday things and the revelation of the universe's many natural secrets. It is important not to make it too complicated, especially to young students," Yohanes said.

And the man, who loves to read during his leisure time, has made it his obsession to make science a fascinating subject a reality by writing interesting science books. So far, he has written 68 science books like Fisika Itu Asik (Physics is Fun) and Fisika Itu Mudah (Physics in Easy).

"By the end of this year, I will publish a stimulating science book for elementary school students. I am glad that many local schools have ordered this upcoming book," Yohanes said.

Born into a modest family in a slum area in East Jakarta 39 years ago, little Yohanes was always known as a kind, diligent and bright kid.

"I was just like the other village children playing soccer in a dirty field and helping my mother make traditional cookies at 3 a.m. before going to school," he recalled.

Still, he was already fond of reading and learning science during his childhood.

"I had a good and smart teacher who aroused my interest in science. But I fell in love with physics when I was a student at the University of Indonesia," said the father of two.

Teachers, he said, play very crucial roles in arousing children's interest in science. "I have trained thousands of junior and high school students across the country on how to teach physics in an enjoyable learning atmosphere."

Hopefully, gone are the days when teachers tightened their faces and wrinkled their eyebrows when teaching science.

The five students' achievement at the International Physics Olympiad, which ended on Monday at the Nusa Dua resort complex in Bali, will inspire their fellow students here.

"Our country has ample clever and talented students. We will be wasting our great potential if they are not properly trained and taken care of," Yohanes said.

The event, he said, is a window to the world for Indonesian students. Winning this prestigious competition will help improve the country's pride and image of poor human resources.

"It is satisfying for me to see how Indonesian students will be recognized worldwide," Yohanes said.