Gema Ikasakti foundation launched

JAKARTA (JP): A group of Trisakti University alumni yesterday launched a foundation to provide scholarships to university students financially suffering from the economic crisis.

The foundation, Yayasan Gema Ikasakti, hopes to collect donations from as many as 45,000 of the private university's alumni.

"This idea came up after the economic crisis started (in July of last year). But it (the inauguration) was temporarily delayed by the May 12 incident," foundation chairman Bambang Parikesit Moe'min told reporters.

The foundation is currently compiling data on students who are experiencing difficulties financing their education because of the country's economic turmoil.

"We'll give priority to Trisakti students, but in the long run, we'll possibly be able to provide scholarships to students from other universities as well," he said.

Four Trisakti students were shot dead on May 12 while participating in an antigovernment rally in and around their campus on Jl. Kyai Tapa, West Jakarta.

Bambang also urged the government yesterday to provide opportunities for students to become members of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

"Students have pure and clean thoughts. It's in line with the reform spirit," he said. (jun)