BABA program here at Universitas INDONUSA Esa Unggul
BABA program here at Universitas INDONUSA Esa Unggul
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)