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.