College accreditation must be fair

College accreditation must be fair

MALANG, East Java: Minister of National Education Abdul Malik
Fadjar reminded the National Accreditation Agency (BAN) on Monday
to prevent manipulation in the evaluation of universities.

"Accreditation must not be engineered as it deals with public
opinion, which is never uniform," the minister said.

He made the remarks after installing Bambang Guritno as the
new rector of the state Brawijaya University in Malang for the
2002-2006 period, replacing Eka Afnan Troena.

"Accreditation, which is regulated under Law No. 25/2000,
constitutes an obligation for the universities," he said.

In his speech at the ceremony, Malik Fadjar said that
universities had a heavy burden, namely to help improve the
country's image both domestically and internationally.

The bad image had spread into various institutions, including
the education sector, he said.

In the rectorial election, Bambang Guritno defeated his
opponent Aka Afnan Troena with a total of 41 votes to 40. --
Antara

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Students join science week
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Students join science week

SURABAYA: At least 53 state-owned and private universities
have confirmed their participation in the XV National Students
Science Week (PIMNAS) hosted by Surabaya-based Airlangga
University, East Java, from March 6 through March 10.

"There are 38 state-owned and 15 private universities from
Aceh to Irian Jaya that have confirmed their participation in the
XV National Students Science Week," PIMNAS Chairman Suko Hardjono
was quoted by Antara as saying on Monday.

"Four nonuniversity organizations have also registered for the
science and technology exhibition," Suko added.

According to Suko, PIMNAS' main items include a science-
writing contest, students' creativity program and students'
science achievement exhibition.

In addition, PIMNAS will also stage a public lecture by
National Education Minister A. Malik Fadjar and economist
Syahrir, and seminars featuring rectors of Airlangga University,
Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University, Makassar-based
Hasanuddin University and Muhammadiyah University in Malang, East
Java. -- Antara

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Indonesia plans seminar on policies

JAKARTA: Indonesia plans to hold an international seminar in
April to explain government policies in economics, politics,
security, finance, law and investment, as well as its
privatization programs.

"The seminar aims to boost confidence in the country and its
economy," organizing committee spokesman Johanes L. Sitanggang
said over the weekend.

He said the seminar would be attended by both national and
international businesspeople.

Johanes said a number of international figures were expected
to attend the seminar, titled Indonesia: Confronting Future
Challenges.

Those expected to attend include former Australian prime
minister Paul Keating, former Japanese prime minister Yasuhiro
Sasasone and former Philippine president Fidel Ramos.

Former German chancellor Helmut Kohl and the former president
of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, also have been invited,
Johanes said.

He also said several international rating agencies were
expected to attend the seminar. These agencies are Standard and
Poors of the U.S., Moody Investor Service of the U.S., Economist
Intelligence Unit of the United Kingdom and Marvin Zonish of the
U.S. -- Antara