IPB students reject new campus

BOGOR: Dozens of students from the Mathematics and Sciences and the Economy Management schools at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) demanded an official explanation on why they had to move to a new campus on the outskirts of Darmaga.

Holding a rally on Friday, the students refused to be moved to the new campus in September, which they said had yet to be equipped with study facilities such as laboratories.

"Moreover, there is no way that 3,800 of us can find a place to stay around the new campus. From what we have heard from other students who have already been moved, it is difficult to find a place with good sanitation and clean water," IPB student executive body advocate Muchammad Iqbal Prakasa said.

Students also wanted to know what would happen to their existing campuses in Baranangsiang, Gunung Gede and Taman Kencana -- all located inside Bogor town.

Meeting the students, rector Ahmad Ansori Mattjik said the students had to move to the new campus by the end of this month -- not in September. "We are building dormitories for 1,000 students this year and another 2,000 next year. We already have laboratories at the Darmaga campus," he said. -- JP