Pak Budi Rahardjo asks the all important question about universities in Indonesia: should a university such as ITB be a “teaching university” or a “research university”. Like other things in life, the answer is not necessarily straightforward. However, one thing is clearly needed to become a research university: research funding.

So the first question should be: where can Indonesian universities and academics obtain research funding? Some options: Indonesian government, private corporations, NGOs, etc. etc. What is the history with regards to the performance of Indonesian institutions when it comes to delivering.

The second question: how can we break the apparent chicken-and-egg problem (i.e. boot-strap problem). In order to apply for research grants, an academic or researcher needs to show a good research/publication record. But in order to even begin doing research, he or she needs research money. There are simple solutions to this bootstrap problem, such as a university freeing a dosen/academic from teaching obligations for a probationary period (e.g. 1 or 2 years) in order for that dosen to prove their research work.

A third question: what is an objective measurement for research output by Indonesian academics? Is it papers in local conferences and so-called “seminars”? Or is it the usual number of papers in international conferences and journals (e.g. IEEE sponsored).

Finally, what is an objective way to dish out research grants/monies, one that is relatively free from cronyism, favoritism and “soft” corruption?

OK so since everyone is talking high-speed trains (Obama, Arnold the Governator, East Coast state govs, etc. etc) for various parts of the US, I guess Indonesia also wants a high-speed train. Which is fine, as long as the risks & gains are clear and understood by everyone.

Here are the details that I obtained from the reference above:

• Links Jakarta, Bandung, and Cirebon (220 mile length)
• Cost is  $3 Billion (private money)
• Proposed technology is “Hydrogen Hi-Speed Rail Super Highway” (H2RSH)
• Proponents says it can achieve $400 million annual profit & create 6 million jobs.

The above posting claims that the H2RSH solution using electric maglev vehicle is an untested technology.

Aside from the separate matter of the technology being untested (about which I’m unqualified to comment), I think there are some other issues and projects that merit prior consideration:

• Upgrading existing inter-city and interstate rail system.
• Develop metro rail system (inner city)  for the major cities in Indonesia.
• Cost to the public (aka public “bail-out money” if the project sinks)
• Geological instability of many parts of Java (i.e. earthquakes and floods).

Bear in mind that Indonesia did try its hand at developing an aeroplane industry (Nurtanio) in the 1980s and 1990s under Minister Habibie. Perhaps the younger bloggers and twitts today have not heard of Nurtanio….

Now that I’ve read through the specs, its very clear that the iPad is really a Giant iPod (a term I read in NY Times today).

Also, its seems there is disappointment everywhere.  People were expecting a tablet computer, where you could run MacOS-X with all the usual applications (eg. Adobe CS, etc). In fact, I told a colleague recently to hold-off buying a Tablet PC because the so called “Mac Tablet” was coming out real soon. Well, we’re both disappointed and my colleague is heading to BestBuy to get a HP Tablet.

Dear Steve,

Having been an ardent fan of Apple since 1981 (yes I bought an Apple II, and then bought the original Mac 512K in early 1984 & still have it), having bought several other Macs in the past two decades (G3, G4, three MBPs) and a couple of iPods, I think I am well qualified to say: its a Giant iPod.

So I guess I’ll just have to wait until a real Mac Tablet comes out.

[TH]

OK, dech memang iPad itu “cool”. Bentuk iPod yg lebih besar. Kalau memang salah satu tujuan untuk nonton film dan baca e-Book, mana cukup storage hanya 64 Gb. Coba kalau ada USB port di iPad.

OK, so the iPad is nice and cool etc. One thing I noticed is its lack of USB Port, which means we cannot hook it up to an external hard-drive or a DVD player.  I guess that is part of the Apple plan:  buy or rent movies only from iTunes. Buy or borrow e-Books only from iTunes also. Bye bye Kindle…

Now if only the dock had a HDMI interface, we could watch HiDef movies on TV also….

Topik Bahasa Inggris dan penggunaannya di dunia bisnis dan IT selalu saja menimbulkan kontroversi.  Saya kebetulan menemukan artikel berikut ini mengenai keputusan badan ICT di Malaysia.

English is essential if Malaysia is to achieve developed status by 2020′: PIKOM

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 DECEMBER 2009 - Malaysian national ICT association (PIKOM) has urged the government to push for the continued use of English if the nation is to achieve developed status by 2010.

PIKOM chairman C.J. Ang was responding to published suggestions by the deputy minister of education (MOE), Dr. Mohd. Puad Zarkashi, that Malaysians in the private sector should use Bahasa Malaysia and not English in all communications in the private sector and government-linked corporations (GLCs). Ang said: “While PIKOM acknowledges Bahasa Malaysia as the national language, and supports competence in and fluency of Bahasa Malaysia among citizens at all levels in all sectors, industry-wise, there are strong reasons for English to continue to be the language of choice for communication among private sectors, GLCs and government agencies.”

“With the outsourcing industry expecting to recruit 300,000 workers by 2012, encouraging English-speaking citizens is essential, especially in servicing global clients in the US and Europe, where the bulk of the outsourcing business come from,” said Ang. “Some of the much-sought-after jobs in the outsourcing industry are call centre, payroll processing, finance and accounting, all needing English competency.”

“In addition, with the rapid pace of globalisation taking place and high cost of doing business, companies are eyeing the Web as the means to expand business across borders,” he said.

English must be a priority

“The e-commerce industry heavily depends on content that is predominantly in English for success,” added Ang. “Therefore, making English a priority would help Malaysians be more prepared to take on the competition that awaits them.”

“With globalisation, further strengthening of English as the main business language in Malaysia is essential,” he said. “Malaysia needs knowledge workers who are fluent not only in writing letters, technical and business reports and proposals, but also in speaking and making presentations in English.”

“This would help the country adapt well when pursuing further for foreign direct investments and also sits well with the government’s efforts to make Malaysia the centre of learning, especially in recruiting international students from China, the Middle East and Africa,” said Ang. “PIKOM believes there is no other alternative if Malaysia’s vision of being a fully developed and an innovation-led, knowledge-based economy by 2020 is to be achieved.”

Interesting, eh