Alumni try to bring home accuracy, work spirit

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Grundlich keil -- meaning accuracy or detail -- is a phrase that best describes the Germans, according to Wardiman Djojonegoro, the German-trained former education minister.

"Germans always calculate everything down to the details. That's what differs them from us," he told The Jakarta Post recently.

Aside from accuracy, Wardiman said, Germans are also known for their work spirit.

"That's why Germany was able to grow into a developed country only 20 years after its defeat in World War II," he said.

Wardiman, now a member of the Association of German Alumni (PAJ), lived in Aachen, Germany, for some years while studying ship construction before taking his ministerial post.

For Ivan A. Hadar, another PAJ member, Germany is more than a great place to study; it is also a place to immerse yourself in culture, being home to number of eminent philosophers and musicians.

"When I was about to depart for Germany to study years ago, I only thought that I had to get knowledge and bring it home," said Ivan, who is now director of the International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development.

In total, Ivan spent about 15 years in Germany earning a master's in urban planning and a doctorate in education and sociology.

Ivan believes one important thing Indonesia could learn from Germany is its adoption of the welfare state, where the government provides citizens with free public services.

The government of Germany, for example, provides free education and insurance to citizens.

Wardiman agreed with Ivan, but only for education. "We have to make education -- basic education especially -- our priority."

However, when he was education minister under president Soeharto, Wardiman was unable to introduce free education for everyone in Indonesia.

While it may not have resulted in sweeping changes here, the Association of German Alumni has helped to establish closer links between Indonesia and Germany.

These ties enjoyed a real boost when the German-trained B.J. Habibie was appointed state minister for research and technology in 1978. Habibie went on to become vice president and then in 1998 president, replacing Soeharto.

Under Habibie, PAJ received special treatment, including funds from the government to finance its activities.

"At that time, (the association) received funds to finance its activities. However, this arrangement was criticized by the alumni," Ivan said.

There are no longer any disputes about its funding, and the members of the Association of German Alumni are working hard to make Indonesia a better country, no strings attached.