Dr. Marius Jelamu, M. Si: Development Based on Academic Principle

IN the 1990s Marius Ardu Jelamu known as a scholar who satisfied with the theories of theology and philosophy. Because he is graduate from Catholic School of Philosophy of Ledalero (1989).

And, when he continued to study graduate programs, majoring in sociology at the University of Indonesia (1997 - 1999), after graduating to become a civil servant (PNS) in the government of NTT province in 1995, it's not that clumsy. Sociology is still considered match by philosophy.

However, when he continued to study doctoral program in the field of agricultural extension at Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) in 2003, people ask questions, can be thin?

For Marius no science that can not be learned, and no disciplinary of science that has nothing to do with philosophy. "Is not there philosophy in the agricultural farming? Why NTT people to plant corn, it has it's philosophy. Is not agriculture in Flores also built by the theologian (the pastor)?" Marius gave reasons.

He prove his statements when he completed his doctoral study at IPB in 2007. His lecturers even great surprise with his performance.

Now Marius more complete in learning sciences. If science is compared with trees, he has now known that trees from the roots, stems, up to the branches. Now he knows how to make trees can bear fruit in abundance.

On 6 October 2008 may be called for Marius important milestones in NTT. On that day, at the age of his doctoral degrees that are not yet a year, Marius appointed and established to be Chairman of the NTT Board of Alumni Association of IPB by General Chairman of Alumni of IPB Association.

Through these platforms, he, together with several alumni of IPB in NTT, would like to contribute something valuable for this region that always been called poor and underdeveloped.

"Before this the alumni of IPB have been done many things in NTT, but still individually. With gathered in an association of alumni, we will become a great force for NTT," Marius said in an interview with Pos Kupang at his living house in Jl. TDM II RT 13/RW 4 Oebufu Kupang, Saturday (11/10/2008).

Currently there are 28 branches of IPB Alumni Association in Indonesia. In NTT, 70 people have registered as members. They most lecturers, both in Undana and other universities in Kupang, with the expertise of each. There are agricultural experts, experts of natural resources and environment, experts of watershed, marine experts and the coastal areas, experts of livestock, fisheries experts, statistical experts and many more. "So in terms of human resources, we are very strong," said Marius again.

This lecturer for Agency on Education and Training in NTT Province said, IPB Alumni Association of NTT are ready to become a strategic partner of the government in regional development through studies in accordance with the expertise of each alumnus. The alumni of IPB are also ready to conduct a study of government programs. "We want to become the alternative think tank for local government," said the man who has produced a number of articles.

He gave example of corn planting program launched by the NTT Province government at this time. According to him, this program is very good because the people of NTT is very close with corn. The people of NTT know how to plant corn.

The important things now, Marius said, the NTT province government should set a goal of planting corn. If only for consumption, the government must know how much maize consumption needs of the people of NTT, so that the planting should not exceed the needs of the people. However, if its goal is agroindustry (business), the government should provide the market and post harvest processing.

"The alumni of IPB here will study and analise this program. We will undertake a seminar with experts and inventors bring corn from the IPB. We will work with industry practitioners of IPB alumni in Jakarta. We will also be lobbying dozens of important officials the alumni of IPB in Jakarta. For that, we need the support of local government, "Marius said.

He stressed that every development program that was produced by local government must stand on the principles of academic. That is, based on the results of a research program that is in accordance with the characteristics of the region and touch the real needs of the community.

"We should learn from developed countries such as Europe and Australia. Before launching the program, they must first conduct research," said the man born in Manggarai on 15 August, 1963.

In contrary he said, programs that are technocracy based, as practiced in the New Order era (Orde Baru), to be abandoned. The technocracy programs that tends to Javanese and applied uniformly in the New Order has resulted loss of local characteristics.

"We should change this. We start from the bottom. Identify the characteristics of our region. Therefore, we must come down to the villages," he said. (by agus sape)