"Interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, particularly physics, is waning. Several universities have even closed their physics programs," Yudi Darma, Director of Science and Technology Dissemination and Utilization at the ministry, stated during a media discussion in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He drew attention to the irony of this trend, given science's crucial role in developing a technologically advanced and prosperous society.
"Consider the evolution of memory storage. In the 1950s, five megabytes required a space of two meters by two meters and five people to carry it. Today, two terabytes fit on a fingernail. This progress is entirely rooted in physics, specifically quantum physics," he explained.
Darma also pointed out that many Indonesians' daily habits and beliefs are not conducive to a scientific mindset.
"Many in our society are disconnected from science. This can lead to susceptibility to misinformation, participation in activities lacking scientific basis, such as online gambling and predatory lending, and the acceptance of scientifically unfounded ideas, like the flat-Earth theory," he stated.
To address this issue, the ministry is implementing several initiatives to promote scientific literacy, particularly among young people.
These include establishing "living labs," which aim to foster a technologically-minded society characterized by systemic thinking.
The ministry will collaborate with various stakeholders, including communities, academics, local and national governments, and state-owned enterprises.
Furthermore, the ministry will utilize creative outreach programs, such as "Rapsodi Seni Sains dan Teknologi," a performance blending art with science and technology.
"Young people today often spend considerable time on entertainment and social media. We aim to integrate learning into their entertainment, subtly increasing their science and technology literacy," Darma concluded.
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Translator: Sean Filo Muhamad, Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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