Ganesha ITB ad. star

Ganesha ITB ad. star

From Media Indonesia

As an alumnus of Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) with two children now studying at the same campus, I felt concern when I read the advertorial on page 3 of Media Indonesia (March 4, 1999) because ITB, which is the pride of my family, has simply become "a star" for the advertisements of the Texmaco Group.

My immediate impression was that Ganesha ITB must have earned a lot from this appearance as an advertising "star", but then the following questions tickled my curiosity:

1. Can the fee -- irrespective of how large it is -- sufficiently compensate for the excellent reputation of ITB as an educational institution in this country?

2. Who will benefit from this fee?

3. Can the fee, for example, help financially troubled ITB students so that they are prevented from dropping out?

4. Is there not another way, one more respectable than appearing in an advertisement, to raise funds?

I realize that these silly questions only manifest my concern as I love ITB in all its academic grandeur. I don't know how other ITB alumni will respond to this matter.

SAMAKOEN REKSOATMODJO

Pangkalpinang