Children practicing to write on a blackboard at an elementary school in Maybrat district, West Papua, on Thursday (21/04). Based on Central Statistics Agency (BPS) data, the literacy rate in the province reached 96.88 percent in 2015. (Antara Photo/Rosa Panggabean)

Jakarta. The president's administration will send 24 US-based Indonesian academics to Papua to improve education and agriculture in the region.

A portion of the 74 Indonesian educators and academics currently working in the US will return to develop vocational schools in the country's easternmost province. The plan will include coordination with Cenderwasih University in Jayapura and Papua University in West Papua.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo told press on Thursday (18/08) that he had requested 24 academics go to Papua to develop education throughout the province.

The professors will also help establish a center for rice paddy research in Merauke district, the realization of a 20-year plan.

The move comes amid government efforts to encourage expat Indonesian academics to return to the country.

Despite abundant natural resources, Papua has long been considered one of the country's most underdeveloped provinces. Complaints have grown of unfair financial advantages given to the restive region by the central government.

Papuan separatist activist Markus Haluk told the Jakarta Globe the academics were not necessary.

"We don't need professors from the US, or any other country. Send them to other provinces in dire need."

"What we've long deserved is the right to self-determination that should've rightly been granted by the president, as enshrined under the constitution as well as international laws."