RI's university graduates lack social awareness<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's universities have been successful in
\nproducing intelligent professionals who constitute the country's
\n"strategic elite group", but have failed in instilling in their
\ngraduates an awareness of their social environment, an official
\nsays.<\/p>\n
State Minister of Public Housing Akbar Tanjung, speaking in
\nhis capacity as a former student activist, said in a discussion
\non the benefit of student organizations here yesterday that
\nuniversities should become a place for character building.<\/p>\n
"Campuses are not only places where students are taught to
\nbecome experts in their fields, but also where they build their
\npersonalities," he told about 100 participants at the Atma Jaya
\nCatholic University.<\/p>\n
"Universities are not just factories which produce
\nprofessionals geared to lead technology development. Campus life
\nshould also develop the students' social solidarity," he said.<\/p>\n
The discussion was held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of
\nthe Atma Jaya Students Forum of Scientific Discussion. It also
\nfeatured former manpower minister and student activist Cosmas
\nBatubara.<\/p>\n
Akbar criticized today's students as being "individualistic,
\negoistic and hedonistic". The students are more concerned about
\ntheir own interests and are reluctant to get involved in social
\nactivities, he said.<\/p>\n
The students appear to consider whatever is going on outside
\nof their immediate campus environment as something which is not
\nof their world. "I call this apathy. This apathy will then
\nalienate the students from the society," Akbar said.<\/p>\n
The separateness from society will leave extensive and long-
\nlasting effects on the students, he said.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that the ideas, attitudes and behavior of the
\nalienated students, who are considered the society's elite, have
\ngreat impacts on their community.<\/p>\n
The alienation which people experience also leaves long-
\nlasting effects in the sense that the characteristics that they
\nhave acquired during their student years will remain and affect
\nhow they later play their roles in society.<\/p>\n
Akbar continued his criticism of today's students by saying
\nthat they lacked leadership and "intellectual sharpness".<\/p>\n
"We expect universities to produce quality intellectuals and
\nprofessionals who also have leadership qualities," Akbar said.<\/p>\n
He suggested that universities provide enough activities and
\nspace for students to develop both their scientific and social
\nskills.<\/p>\n
"For the students to develop critical minds, a democratic
\nlearning situation is needed," Akbar said. "Social and academic
\nactivities are needed for the students to develop their
\nleadership, talents and interests, sharpen their minds, as well
\nas cultivate their social sensitivity." (31)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ris-university-graduates-lack-social-awareness-1447893297",
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