IKIP Jakarta set to change status

JAKARTA (JP): The state-run Teachers' Training Institute (IKIP Jakarta) will be revamped as a state university under the name Universitas Negeri Jakarta, its rector Sutjipto said on Wednesday.

The official change in status will be effected by October at the latest, Sutjipto said at a signing ceremony for a cooperation agreement between IKIP Jakarta and the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).

"Hopefully, the change in status can be realized in October," he was quoted by Antara as saying. ITB rector Lilik Hendrajaya also attended the signing ceremony.

Sutjipto said that although the status changed the school to a university, the campus will continue to be a base for training teachers and lecturers.

The agreement between the two institutions, the second in their history, concerns the development of human resources, especially in the improvement of the skills and capabilities of lecturers and enhanced research and assessment.

Sutjipto said the cooperation was important in helping the two schools to face tougher future competition.

He explained that IKIP Jakarta employed 850 lecturers, but only nine held doctorate degrees.

It has 12,000 students, including 1,000 postgraduate students, he added.