Minister tells graduates to become entrepreneurs

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Research and Technology Zuhal told new university graduates here on Tuesday to become entrepreneurs to cope with the prolonged economic crisis.

In his speech delivered during a graduation ceremony for 147 students from the private Indonusa Esa Unggul University, Zuhal said that if they became entrepreneurs, the graduates would create new jobs and help lead the country out of the economic crisis.

"I believe that one of the reasons why this country's economy collapsed is because we paid very little attention to small and medium-sized entrepreneurs," Zuhal, who is also chairman of the Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), said.

Becoming an entrepreneur is not difficult, he said, suggesting the graduates look for opportunities in Tangerang and its immediate environs.

"Don't look too far, find opportunities in Tangerang's vast industrial estates," he said.

However, Zuhal gave no suggestions on how new graduates should go about getting started in a life of business and could offer no advice on what sectors of the economy offered them the best opportunities for success.

However, he helpfully suggested that the young graduates' new businesses should be export-oriented.

In response, the university's rector Kemala Motik Abdul Gafur commented: "We have always encouraged an entrepreneurial spirit in our students."

Three hundred and seventy five students have graduated from the university since it was founded in 1993. Tuesday's ceremony took place at the university's campus on Jl. Terusan Arjuna, West Jakarta. (jun)