Producing graduates via world-class education<\/p>\n
Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
National plus universities are becoming increasingly popular
\namong local parents and even among expatriate parents because of
\nthe unquestionable quality of the education they offer.<\/p>\n
These universities have introduced international standards to
\ntheir curricula, one of the major strengths that lures students,
\nand several of the universities have received international
\naccreditation.<\/p>\n
They offer degree and non-degree programs under tight
\nsupervision from well-known foreign universities. They also use
\nEnglish as a medium of instruction.<\/p>\n
Some of the universities have attracted students from a number
\nof different countries, so like international schools they
\nprovide positive values resulting from a multicultural and
\nmultinational environment.<\/p>\n
These universities include Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH),
\nthe Swiss German University (SGU), the International
\nUndergraduate Program (IUP) at Universitas Bina Nusantara
\n(UBiNus), Monash College at Jakarta (MCJ) and the Gandhi
\nInstitute of Business and Technology (GIBT).<\/p>\n
These so-called national plus colleges and universities are
\nconsidered better than most national universities thanks to their
\ninternational education systems and curriculums. Graduates of
\nthese universities are expected to have high academic
\nqualifications, enabling them successfully to enter the job
\nmarket.<\/p>\n
The emergence of national plus universities dates back to
\nseveral years ago when educators and businesspeople were deeply
\nconcerned about the poor quality of local universities, which
\nproduced many graduates who were unprepared to enter the job
\nmarket.<\/p>\n
This led to the establishment of UPH in 1994. The number of
\nsuch universities has increased since then due to the rising
\ndemand for a high quality education, especially in subjects such
\nas business, computers and information technology (IT).<\/p>\n
There are different types of national plus universities in the
\ncountry, with different academic programs, educational systems
\nand curriculums. Several universities have academic links with
\nprestigious overseas universities, with academic programs,
\ncurriculums and educational systems referring to the overseas
\nuniversities.<\/p>\n
Other universities modify their curriculum after ones from
\noverseas universities, to make their educational standards
\nequivalent to those of top overseas universities.<\/p>\n
As universities with international standards, all elements
\nrelated to learning receive the highest attention, starting from
\nsupporting facilities like libraries, laboratories, sports
\nfacilities and auditoriums, to academic staff, curriculum and
\nsyllabi.<\/p>\n
Even though categorized a national plus universities, or those
\nadopting world-class educational curriculums, each of these
\nuniversities have their own curriculum and educational system.
\nSeveral universities, like UPH and UBiNus, base their curriculums
\non national ones, but enriched with international knowledge.<\/p>\n
With its spacious and modern campus in Lippo Karawaci,
\nTangerang, Banten, UPH offers academy, undergraduate and
\npostgraduate programs. Its curriculum is modified with particular
\naspects of curriculums from overseas universities thanks to its
\ncollaboration with prestigious universities from several
\ncountries, including the Unites States, Germany, the Netherlands,
\nJapan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the UK and France<\/p>\n
\"We have to keep pace with the changing world. Therefore, we
\ntake particular aspects of curriculum in accordance with the area
\nof study and combine them with our own curriculum,\" said UPH
\nmarketing and admissions division head Lelly Sudjarwadinata.<\/p>\n
She said practical knowledge was emphasized to give graduates
\nthe ability to innovate and to develop their knowledge and skills
\nbefore plunging into careers.<\/p>\n
Most of the teachers at UPH are professional, which helps to
\nbetter prepare students for the world of work, she said.<\/p>\n
\"Graduates are expected to be expert scholars in their
\nrespective fields and to be ready for work,\" Lelly said.<\/p>\n
The university has attracted some 6,000 students, of whom 10
\npercent come from overseas, including the U.S., the UK, Germany,
\nFrance, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan.<\/p>\n
The UPH campus is also known as a \"Digital Campus\" and is
\ntruly modern with its satellite and Internet networks, enabling
\nfaculty members and students to use wireless laptops to access
\nthe Internet around campus.<\/p>\n
SGU offers bachelor's and master's degrees, with students
\nhaving the opportunity to continue their studies in Germany after
\ntwo years of study in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
SGU's curriculum is based on the German model, with students
\nreceiving not only theory but also balanced practical experience.<\/p>\n
SGU's general administration head, Mina Arsita, said that in
\nline with the university's programs, most of which are in applied
\nsciences such as mechatronics, IT, business administration, and
\nhotel and tourism studies, students are required to attend
\ninternship programs.<\/p>\n
\"Students in semester three should attend an internship
\nprogram at home, while those in semester six should attend a
\nprogram abroad, such as in Germany,\" she said. \"Graduates are
\nexpected to be skilled professionals to fill the need for
\nqualified graduates in the country.\"<\/p>\n
Established in 2000 in Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD), Tangerang,
\nBanten, SGU is the first university in Indonesia to adhere to
\nEuropean standards. The university is equipped with state-of-the-
\nart facilities such as IT labs with permanent Internet
\nconnections and automation and mechatronics laboratories.<\/p>\n
At Monash Collage at Jakarta (MCJ), students have the
\nopportunity to take a diploma program before pursuing their
\nbachelor's or master's degrees at Monash College in Melbourne,
\nAustralia.<\/p>\n
MCJ offers course programs in business and IT, with an
\neducational system and curriculum fully adopted from Monash
\nCollege.<\/p>\n
\"By fully adopting Monash College's educational system and
\ncurriculum, students are expected to be familiar with the system
\nso that they can easily adjust to the Australian environment when
\nthey continue in their bachelor's or master's degree,\" said MCJ
\nmarketing manager Arliana.<\/p>\n
GIBT, established a year ago, offers non-degree programs in
\nEnglish and Mandarin. The institute is gearing up to offer
\nbachelor degree programs in business, IT and marketing
\ncommunications.<\/p>\n
GIBT is expected to adopt an international educational system
\nand curriculum following the signing of an agreement with Charles
\nStuart University (CSU) from New South Wales, Australia.<\/p>\n
\"Our graduates are prepared for the challenges that lie ahead
\nof them in their future business life,\" said GIBT head Michael
\nGoodwin.<\/p>\n
Tuition fees charged at these national plus universities are
\nrelatively expensive. UPH, for instance, charges admission fees
\nfor academy and undergraduate programs ranging from Rp 21 million
\nto Rp 78.5 million. While, the admission fee for master's
\nprograms ranges from Rp 7.1 to Rp 13.4 million.<\/p>\n
SGU charges a registration fee, including entrance test, of Rp
\n300,000. Tuition for the first academic semester is set at Rp 22
\nmillion. Tuition for internship programs is Rp 11 million.<\/p>\n
Taking an eight-month course at MCJ will cost a student over
\nRp 50 million.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/producing-graduates-via-world-class-education-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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