ITB program for city officials

JAKARTA (JP): At least 37 city officials intend to study urban planning in a post-graduate school program offered by the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), an official has said.

Deputy Governor for Development Affairs TB. M. Rais said Monday the four-semester course would be the first time the municipality and ITB had cooperated together in such a project.

"The class will usually be held after working hours, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Jakarta Design Center in Slipi, Central Jakarta. The study material will be the same as the post-graduate class held in ITB's campus in Bandung," Rais said.

The students will have to pay some Rp 5 million per semester.

"And they will have to pay it by themselves... the municipality simply cannot afford to subsidize them.

"Hopefully, with more post-graduate students working at City Hall, the human resources there will improve in quality."

Rais also expressed concern over the limited number of city officials who were able to receive scholarships to further their education.

"Most officials failed the tests, mainly the English test. Actually, the city has received many overseas scholarships, but due to a lack of English language ability, the offers could not be fulfilled." (edt/ind)