BABA program here at Universitas INDONUSA Esa Unggul

Sun, 09 May 1999

In this monetary crisis time, many Indonesians are looking closer to home to meet their educational needs on a budget they can afford. For most, it has been a choice forced upon them. Dreams of a foreign university degree have been destroyed by the diminishing value of the rupiah and the resulting higher costs of paying for tuition fees and accommodation.

Some may be downhearted, fearing local educational opportunities will not rank with their foreign equivalent and put them at a disadvantage for their future.

It is a fear understood -- and solved -- by the University of INDONUSA Esa Unggul, which now offers special, international BABA in Business Administration (Bachelor of Art in Business Administration) courses under the Faculty of Economics majoring in Management.

The university also boasts the Faculty of Technology with a major in Industrial Technology and Planning and Urban Development Technology, the Faculty of Public Health for Health Information, which is the only one in Indonesia, besides the Management of Physiotherapy, which is the first one in Indonesia.

The Faculty of Law, which will be open next September, will concentrate on International Business Law, and its Faculty of Social and Political Science will specialize in International Public Relations.

According to Michael Goodwin, Director of the BABA Program at INDONUSA, the program is priced competitively with the equivalent foreign degrees. This can be achieved because of the low cost of living here in Indonesia.

Cooperating with the University of Wales, it is fully validated by the British university. Goodwin also is quick to point out that it is fitted into the Indonesian educational system accredited by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture. In fact, KAMPUS EMAS, INDONUSA is the only university in Indonesia that offers a foreign degree for a course fully completed in Indonesia.

"Validated by the University of Wales means that they check everything that we do, to ensure that we meet the exacting standards set by them," said Goodwin at his office in KAMPUS EMAS, located in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, a short distance from the capital's hub.

A team from the University of Wales -- headed by an official external administrator -- visits INDONUSA several times every year to give feedback on the program and verify that it is being run in compliance with the schools' agreement.

Goodwin said the team "often has comments for us, which, of course, we take note of and change in the program." He added: "When they have conducted their inspection, they agree with our decisions and actions. That is, they validate them and eventually award us their degrees.

"That means the degrees are British ones, and are exactly the same as those awarded to other students who attend any of the colleges of the University of Wales in the United Kingdom."

Best business university for globalization

Lecturers are from Britain, the U.S., Indonesia, Holland, India and Australia, and all courses are conducted in English. All of the lecturers have practical experience in business, bringing to the classroom practical experience in the business world.

Goodwin believes the emphasis on English is essential in preparing competent Indonesians who will be able to take advantage of business opportunities in the global community. All this makes Kampus Emas INDONUSA an international campus complete with students from 22 nationalities.

"This is one of our main aspects," Goodwin said. "English is the language of business, of global communication. We are training people who will be able to take their place at the forefront of business supported by a Western-standard degree."

Vice Rector Ir. Aziz Luthfi, M.Sc acknowledges that students may be initially reticent to express themselves in English, but are aided by immersion in a two-semester English Foundation course.

Business vision

Vice Rector Aziz said the program fits into INDONUSA's vision to nurture Indonesians with the global span of business, technological and information span of knowledge to compete in, and to contribute to their country.

"This is something hoped for by the government from every graduate in Indonesia," said Aziz. "The BABA degree is part of that goal, including its emphasis on English. We are confident our graduates can communicate in English and it creates a conducive atmosphere for others trying to master the language."

Rector of Universitas INDONUSA Esa Unggul, Dra. Kemala Motik Abdul Gafur, MM, wished to emphasize that the aim of the university is to educate the student to be able to become responsible business entrepreneurs that create jobs and opportunity in this country, rich in natural and human resources. "INDONUSA Esa Unggul fully intends to be the best business university in the era of globalization," she said.

Social skills

Aziz and Goodwin emphasized the BABA degree was not about churning out talking heads who can spout facts and business theorems but are duds in the social department.

"The principal objective of the degree courses held at INDONUSA is to help students to become responsible citizens in this global community in which we all live," Goodwin said. "Of course, their training is to help them to become competent and capable managers in an increasingly competitive environment. But, along with this, they are encouraged to develop their interpersonal skills for both their business and personal futures."

He said INDONUSA's unique academic environment encouraged students to realize their role in a shrinking global world -- and come to terms with cultural differences.

"By having a better understanding of international business, as well as an appreciation of the customs and cultures of so many other countries from around the world, our students are better equipped to recognize the need for us all to accept the differences that are important to different cultures," Goodwin added.

Paramitha Ruly is one of those who have benefited from the responsibility delegated to students. She is an active member of the Student Council and editor of a new campus English-language publication. "We are encouraged to do what we want, to be ourselves," Paramitha said. "We can be active in setting up groups, or following our own interests, and the administration is very receptive. I imagine it is very similar to the campuses found in foreign countries."

Goodwin said the administration believes the years spent at INDONUSA should be the grounding for setting students on the path to a successful future. "We believe that the friendships and social bonds that students form in college are one of the most important factors in determining their eventual success. Students must be encouraged to understand and accept responsibility from an early stage in their careers. That is why the Student Council of the BABA program at INDONUSA is empowered to organize seminars, parties, outings, newsletters and more."

He added it was not a traditionally distant relationship between university committees and students. In fact, the Student Council of the BABA program is treated more as junior members of the management team than as students. The students are represented in nearly all of the various management committees and their opinions are sought. "After all, the management's control of the university is for the benefit of the students, so it seems reasonable to seek and listen to their opinions," he said.

In one of the programs overseen by students, members of the BABA program held a special get-together -- CAMPUS NIGHT -- on April 22, 1999, with alumni and faculty. Students wore traditional dress and performed together in a fashion show to display their unity.

"Naturally, we oversee the events, but we place our trust in them," said Goodwin. "We are very pleased with their efforts. Just think about what it takes to produce a magazine in English when it is a foreign language for you."

He brims with pride about the achievements of the students in earning a degree, conducted in English but in their homeland, which is of the same value as their peers in the West.

Boyke Perdana Dadi Widiyanto, MBA, Director of PT Wisnu Tri Buana Abadi, a trading house company, is one of INDONUSA's alumni for both the BABA and MBA program, said: "My years in INDONUSA have taught me a lot and have prepared me for the era of globalization, both for my English and important knowledge of business."

"To be awarded a degree is difficult enough by itself, but to do it in another language is highly commendable," Goodwin said. "Our alumni deserves to be respected for their achievement."

For further information on the university, call 5674223, fax 5682503, or e-mail bba-uieu@dnet.net.id. (Bruce Emond)

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