Foreign graduate from President University

Foreign graduate from President University

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Isabelle Zeng Li, 21, was all smiles on Friday as she walked to
the podium to deliver a speech as the representative of the
international students graduating from President University in
Jababeka, Cikarang, West Java.

"Three years ago I came from Sichuan province in China with
little knowledge about Indonesia or English. Suddenly, I was in
the middle of an English-language environment, learning about
electrical engineering," said Li.

She was speaking on behalf of 22 international students who
were among the 31-member inaugural graduating class of President
University, which opened in 2002. The graduation ceremony on
Friday was attended by parents, lecturers, businesspeople and
diplomats from China and Vietnam.

The 22 international students came from China and Vietnam, and
all earned a bachelor of science either in electrical engineering
or information technology.

While most international students come here to learn about the
country's rich variety of languages and cultures, Li said her
time at the internationally recognized university was very
rewarding studying science, technology and English.

"Studying inside an industrial estate like Jababeka was unique
as I was able to apply what I learned in class at real
companies," she said.

Don Watts, an education expert from Australia, said the
graduates from China and Vietnam would return to their countries
and help spread the good word about Indonesia.

"We can't say that these graduates will not become leaders in
their respective countries as they are all bright students.
Imagine the benefit for Indonesia in the future if they become
important people there," he said.

President University Rector Muliawati G. Siswanto said most of
the school's first group of graduates had already secured jobs at
multinational companies such as Yamamoto and Mattel.

"They are our first graduates since we began in 2002. We are
very proud because it is rare for international students to
graduate from science and technology institutions in Indonesia,"
she told the Post.

Setyono Djuandi Darmono, president director of PT Jababeka,
which established the university in 2002, said all 1,115
companies inside the industrial estate would continue to support
the university to help it become one of Indonesia's leading
schools.

"This graduation shows that what we are doing is paying off.
We will continue to hire the best lecturers and experts and
procure the best equipment for the university. We will also try
to invite the brightest young people to enroll at the
university," he said.