Jakarta, April 17 -- Minister of Higher Education Science and Technology Brian Yuliarto emphasized that mastering science and technology is essential for Indonesia to transform into a major power.

The minister noted that the nation must shift from an extractive economy to one built on high value industries to improve national welfare.

"One fundamental notion about our natural resources is that we must be capable of tapping them to improve national welfare. It is true that Indonesia holds vast resources, but what matters most is our ability to harness them with science," Yuliarto said while opening a national seminar and convention of the Indonesian Engineers Association (PII) in Jakarta on Thursday.

In a statement released on Friday, t...