'Fast track' to an Australian degree

'Fast track' to an Australian degree

Indonesia's economic crisis has affected all aspects of life. The general cut in the purchasing power of Indonesians has forced people to prioritize their spending, cutting out the nonessentials in a nationwide time of belt-tightening.

However, no matter how much the economy pinches people's pockets, quality education remains a priority for families who want to provide their children all the available advantages and opportunities. Education, as it always has been, is the key to opening the doors of the future.

In recognition of this demand, the Melbourne Institute of Business and Technology (MIBT) is now offering its courses in Jakarta to provide an affordable option for students who want an overseas education but do not want to pay overseas prices.

Fully endorsed and run in cooperation with the prestigious Deakin University in Melbourne, one of Australia's leading universities, MIBT Indonesia offers students the same high- quality preuniversity certificate and university level diploma courses as offered at MIBT in Australia at a fraction of the cost.

Located on Jl. S. Parman in Slipi, MIBT Indonesia shares resources with the English Education Center. The quality facilities offered at MIBT provide students with all the advantages they would receive in Australia.

Students at MIBT Indonesia have the advantage of small classes, allowing them the personal attention of the instructors, so important in ensuring a successful education. MIBT's computer room provides each student access to their own computer. Students can surf the Internet and access information on universities in Australia, England and the United States in the counseling center, giving them all the information they need to plan their future. There is also a study room and lounge area on the site, giving students an opportunity to study and socialize in a truly academic setting.

MIBT Indonesia also provides students cultural activities, giving them a taste of life in Australia. This follows MIBT's approach of preparing students for life, both academic and social, in Australia. According to MIBT Indonesia program director Simon Wood, "MIBT Indonesia gives students an important advantage in preparing for future studies in Australia. Not only will they become familiar with the academic standards of Australian universities, they will also get a taste of Australian life outside of the university."

MIBT Indonesia offers Certificate in Business and Diploma of Commerce programs. The Certificate in Business is a preuniversity course for students who have completed their second or third year of senior high school. The course gives students a thorough education in business and all its related areas.

Upon completing the Certificate course, students will be able to join MIBT's Diploma of Commerce program. The diploma program is a university-level course which gives students a qualification in Commerce as well as entry to the second year of a Bachelor of Commerce or Business degree at a number of Australian universities.

One of the major advantages of MIBT Indonesia is that it is run on the semester system, with three semesters each calendar year. MIBT has new student intakes in March, June and October. This allows students to enter MIBT in June, immediately after finishing senior high school, putting them on a fast track to entering the second year of university in Australia ahead of their peers. Thanks to the scheduling advantages of MIBT, 16 months after completing the second year of senior high school, students can find themselves eligible to enter the second year of university.

Clearly, this is a great advantage for students, as well as providing parents valuable savings.

To demonstrate the savings MIBT Indonesia affords its students, the Certificate in Business costs students studying in Australia A$8,000 and the Diploma of Commerce costs $10,000. Compare this to the cost at MIBT Indonesia, which is $6,000 and $8,000, respectively.

In addition, by earning a Diploma of Commerce at MIBT and entering Deakin University in the second year of the degree program, students will save the $11,000 cost for a year of study at Deakin.

The course prices are not the only area of savings for MIBT Indonesia students. By studying in Jakarta rather than in Australia, students save on travel and living expenses, which can add up to $20,000 per year.

However, less expensive certainly does not mean lower quality. Because MIBT is run in cooperation with Deakin University, MIBT uses the same syllabi and the same books and offers the same units as in the first year of the Bachelor of Commerce Degree at Deakin University. The only difference is the price.

Instructors at MIBT Indonesia are native speakers who are approved by Deakin University. Instructors also must possess a Masters Degree in the courses they teach, ensuring they are knowledgeable instructors with a thorough mastery of their subjects.

Deakin University also sends lecturers to MIBT Indonesia every semester to ensure the syllabi are being followed and the courses are being taught according to Deakin standards.

As one final assurance that MIBT Indonesia students receive the same education as students in Australia, all final examinations taken at MIBT Indonesia are sent to Australia to be graded by Deakin lecturers.

In these precarious times, parents will be relieved to know that MIBT Indonesia students can transfer at any point in the semester to MIBT in Australia. Because MIBT Indonesia follows the same syllabi as MIBT in Australia, students who transfer midsemester can pick up their studies in Australia without losing time or money.

After receiving a Diploma of Commerce from MIBT Indonesia, students are guaranteed a place in Deakin University. The diploma is also transferable to over 22 universities in Australia, and, although there are no formal agreements, a number of universities in the United States.

Upon entering the Bachelor of Commerce or Business degree program at Deakin, students will find a wide range of options available to them. With over 18 majors to choose from, students have the opportunity to explore exactly what they want to study.

While MIBT Indonesia is a great option for Indonesian students who want to study in Australia, MIBT is also a good choice for Australian expatriates who are planning on returning to Australia to attend university. By entering MIBT's diploma program in Jakarta, Australian students can find themselves entering second year university ahead of their friends in Australia.

The next semester at MIBT Indonesia commences June 28.

For more information on MIBT Indonesia please contact Simon Wood or Cindy Lillpaly at 5362745 or 5362747, fax 5323178, or e- mail mibt@eec.co.id.