Mega opens Batam `school for spies'<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Batam<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri said knowledge and skills on
\nintelligence-gathering have become a need in everyday life, and
\ntherefore it was essential for the country to master them.<\/p>\n
In a ground-breaking ceremony to begin the construction of
\nwhat is being termed an \"intelligence academy\" here, the
\nPresident said that in today's global world, the use of
\nintelligence expertise could not be limited solely to the
\nmilitary, police and other government organizations, but was also
\nneeded for civilian purposes.<\/p>\n
\"Intelligence-gathering is widely practiced in economic
\nfields, such as trade and finance, both at the national and
\ninternational levels,\" Megawati said in her speech.<\/p>\n
During the ceremony, the President said that for the first
\nacademic year, slated to commence in September, the academy's
\nintake of around 50 students would study at the University of
\nIndonesia (UI) in Depok until the academy's buildings were
\ncompleted.<\/p>\n
The academy will be open to the public, and many of the
\nstudents will come from foreign countries, especially those in
\nSoutheast Asia.<\/p>\n
\"Many are curious about this field of study, which for the
\nfirst time will be open to the public,\" she added.<\/p>\n
The academy will have undergraduate and master's programs,
\nwith the undergraduate program being based in Sentul, Bogor, West
\nJava, and the master's program in Batam.<\/p>\n
The construction of the buildings for the academy's branches
\nin both Sentul and Batam is slated to be completed within the
\nnext 10 months.<\/p>\n
The curriculum of the academy has been drawn up by the State
\nIntelligence Agency (BIN) in cooperation with UI and the Bandung
\nInstitute of Technology (ITB).<\/p>\n
The curriculum will cover information-gathering techniques
\nranging from surveillance to high-tech tapping systems, according
\nto an official at BIN, Subiyanto.<\/p>\n
It also covers the history of intelligence, current
\nintelligence issues, the principles of intelligence analysis and
\nreligious extremism.<\/p>\n
\"The most important thing is how we gather information to
\nprevent incidents from happening or to ensure that a business
\nsucceeds as planned,\" Subiyanto said, on the sidelines of the
\nceremony.<\/p>\n
The official further said that the first year's intake would
\ninclude a number of foreign students from the Association of
\nSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN), officers from the TNI, police
\nand other government organizations, and a number of civilians.<\/p>\n
In her speech, the President said that the intelligence
\nacademy should also help improve the capabilities of intelligence
\nofficers here, citing the increasing threats to the security of
\nIndonesia and the world as a whole.<\/p>\n
\"It is important that we advance our abilities to master and
\nemploy intelligence in our daily lives,\" Megawati said.<\/p>\n
The school in Batam is located on a 10-hectare site. The
\ncomplex will include a library, coding laboratory, and facilities
\nfor outdoor activities, such as a swimming pool and firing range.<\/p>\n
The academy's campus in Sentul will be located on 5 hectares
\nof land, and will provide similar facilities.<\/p>\n
BIN chief Hendropriyono said that the construction work was
\nbeing funded by the State Budget. He refused, however, to say how
\nmuch it would cost.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mega-opens-batam-school-for-spies-1447893297",
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