INDONUSA Esa Unggul: British education

INDONUSA Esa Unggul: British education

As companies follow the global e-business paradigm, they are
ever more seeking to recruit savvy, intelligent, business-led
employees to help spearhead their organizations in this new
electronic age of commerce.

In order to gain any sort of foothold on the corporate ladder,
it is crucial to have the most up-to-date qualifications, and
inherent in that is the choice of college or university students
opt for.

Heading the list in the business studies world here is
INDONUSA Esa Unggul in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta.

For what sets this seat of business erudition apart from
others in Indonesia is the validation of its Bachelor of Arts in
Business Administration (BABA) program by the renowned University
of Wales. The ties between the two universities mean that after
the successful completion of studies at Campus Emas, a degree is
awarded which is a British one.

Founded in 1986, INDONUSA quickly became accredited by what
was formerly known as the Ministry of Education and Culture, now
the Ministry of National Education.

Also at the university is the Faculty of Technology with a
major in Industrial Technology and Planning and Urban Development
Technology, the Faculty of Public Health and The Faculty of Law,
which concentrates on International Business Law, with its
Faculty of Social and Political Science specializing in
International Public Relations.

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration director Michael
Goodwin says that the validation by the University of Wales is
the key to the success of the university and that the Welsh
university has stringent standards and performs checks throughout
the year.

"We teach to their agreed syllabus and they validate it by
carrying out a full quality check on us at all times. We are not
allowed to change any of the rules and regulations unless it has
been previously agreed with the University of Wales. Then we are
allowed to introduce it the following semester. We are visited by
them three times a year," he said.

When BABA final examinations are being marked, an internal
examinations board convenes, comprising Goodwin and all of the
lecturers. The board then appraises each student, subject by
subject, to determine if the results they achieved were expected.
"But we don't just ask one lecturer about a student," says
Goodwin, "we ask the opinion of all the lecturers, because we all
know the students. Sometimes there can be a personality clash or
a misunderstanding between a student and lecturer. This way, we
get a more balanced view."

When the University of Wales comes to the INDONUSA, they check
all the markings of all the exams. That is the validation. When
they have completed their check, it is the turn of an external
examinations board which is appointed by the University of Wales.

Goodwin said that INDONUSA is the only Indonesian university
allowed to do this and that the validation leads to further
opportunities for the students.

"Because we are accredited by the Ministry of National
Education, after our degrees have been presented, any graduate
who wishes to go on for a Masters, usually an MBA, will be
accepted (on those courses)," he said.

While it may be difficult at first for new students, all the
courses at INDONUSA are taught 100 percent in English. The
lecturers are not allowed to explain anything in Bahasa
Indonesia, even if they are trying to explain a difficult word.

"There are a number of reasons for this," says Goodwin, "one
is that it is an English course and it should not be taught in
another language. Another is that if it is explained to them in
Bahasa Indonesia, they might have trouble retranslating it into
English. And also, I have students of 11 nationalities and they
might not understand Bahasa Indonesia."

The university runs a foundation course which is at
preuniversity level. Students are first interviewed, their
records studied and faculty members will sometimes talk to their
teachers to get a more intimate view of the student. If it is
felt that the student is not mature enough, or if their English
is not at a satisfactory level, or indeed if the student is not
mature, or ready, for university life, they are placed on the
foundation course.

Otherwise, students must have a minimum TOEFL score, or the
equivalent, of 500 to enter the degree course.

Goodwin places credence in the system he created, centering on
what was best for the university before developing any further
degree programs further.

"When I took over, I was asked by the rector to bring in a
number of courses, but I was not ready to do that. My personal
belief is that if you diversify too much you end by up doing
nothing properly. The BABA is now successful and is recognized as
such in the U.K. Now I'm bringing in an MBA which will open in
September and that will be from the University of South
Australia," he said.

Goodwin says that, initially, during the onset of the economic
crisis, the university lost a number of students, but that this
was more than made up for by the students who returned from other
countries due to their parents' inability to keep them in
overseas universities.

"Students used to come here because they couldn't afford to
study abroad. But the inference has changed. Now the students are
happy that this is a British-quality standard and they see no
need to go overseas anymore," he said.

One aspect of INDONUSA's BABA program that will delight
parents is that of cost.

"Roughly speaking, because of fluctuating exchange rates, if a
student were to go to the U.K and pay for accommodation and do
the same course in Wales, it could cost Rp 425 million. Here, it
costs rather less than Rp 100 million," said Goodwin.

The BABA program also deals with the wired world. For, as
industry analysts predict, more businesses than ever are going
online in order to tap into markets normally outside of their
physical boundaries.

Says Goodwin: "It's pretty important and ought to be taken
seriously, both for the future and now. Currently, e-business is
incorporated into our six Business Information Systems modules. I
am also trying to establish contact with foreign universities to
establish an e-business degree."

There are lecturers from a variety of different countries,
including India, Australia, America, the Netherlands, the U.K.
and Indonesia. "Although this is a British degree, we treat it as
an international business administration course. I have changed
12 lecturers in the last two years in order to get the quality
and commitment I require," said Goodwin.

Graduates of the BABA program are advised to take up immediate
employment for a minimum of two years before they consider doing
an MBA. The university has been able to find, even in these
difficult economic times, jobs for those who choose this option,
usually with international firms here.

Previously, the university was not permitted to advertise or
promote itself until it had a proven track record with the BABA
program. Now that the University of Wales is satisfied with the
program, INDONUSA is able to do so. Regular presentations are
held at international schools here to let students know about the
university and what it offers.

"Now that we are able to advertise using the University of
Wales, we are accepted by the international schools here and they
allow us to make presentations. We expect our student intake to
dramatically change toward the end of the year." he said.