TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - NASA took two Indonesian research projects to space on Wednesday (March 23), involving a study of biological life in outer space.

"We should be proud of these projects initiated by our youth. They are proving that Indonesia has world class youth," the Minister of Youth and Sport, Imam Nahrawi, said in a press release received on Friday.

The first experiment involves research about the growth of yeast in outer space. This research project was initiated by the team of Unggul Del Senior High School in Laguboti Subdistrict, North Sumatra Province.

The second experiment studies the growth of paddy in space and was initiated by a joint group of students from senior high schools in Jakarta, Bandung and Jayapura.

The experiments were taken by NASA to outer space using a drone.

Nachrawi said skills and innovations mastered by Indonesian youth are being recognized by the international community.

Nachrawi added that Indonesia should appreciate the innovation and creativity of Indonesian youth and should not let other countries capture the opportunity.

"Many skilled young people have gone to other countries. We should channelize how these skills should be utilized to develop the Motherland," the minister said.

He hoped that the youth generation can develop more skills to compete in the ASEAN Economic Community era.

He asked the young people to develop their skills in sectors that have a massive impact, such as research and development of science and technology as well as micro, small and medium enterprises.

ANTARA