All lecturers to have doctorates
JAKARTA: In a bid to improve the quality of its graduates, state-owned Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic University is to require all of its lecturers to have doctorates in the future, an official said.
Addressing those present at the university's 54th graduation ceremony on Saturday, rector Azyumardi Azra said that due to the recent upgrade in the college's status, the new requirements for lecturer were needed.
"We expect that in the near future, we'll only have holders of doctorates teaching in our college," Azyumardi said, while adding that it was important to also improve the quality of the students.
The university was an institute before it was upgraded last June.
A total of 495 bachelor's degrees, 28 master's degrees and 13 doctorates were presented on Saturday.--Antara.
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Hamzah not to attend Hatta commemoration
JAKARTA: Vice President Hamzah Haz will not attend a ceremony to mark the 100 anniversary of Indonesian founding father Mohammad Hatta in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, next week, a report said.
"Due to his tight schedule, Pak Hamzah will not be able to attend the commemoration of the country's first vice president in the late statesman's hometown," said organizing committee spokesman Yuen Karnova in Padang on Saturday.
He said that originally Hamzah was slated to open a series of seminars and exhibitions as part of the commemoration.
The Vice President was also initially slated to open a new traditional market in Amur, Agam regency, after the ceremony.
"We'll have to reschedule everything. Hopefully by Monday we'll know for sure which officials will attend the event," Yuen said.--Antara.
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Accountants wanted for home affairs ministry
JAKARTA: The Ministry of Home Affairs needs at least 1,000 additional accountants to support the ministry's Inspectorate General in supervising the finances of local governments nationwide.
Ministry Inspector-General Sarundayang said on Saturday that the government would be able to hire the required 1,000 accountants by 2010.
"Should a particular region have more than enough accountants, they should report it to us as we need them for other places (regions)," Sarundayang said.
He also said that the vacant positions would be open to bachelor's degree holders from accountancy schools.
The official further said that the ministry would cooperate with the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) to ensure transparency in the state finances.
"The forms of collaboration will be set out in Memorandums of Understanding to be signed in each area," Sarundayang said.
Currently, the BPKP is only able to audit some 30 percent of the total financial transactions of each region due to a lack of accountants, he added.--Antara.