Pelita Harapan University produces first graduates

Pelita Harapan University produces first graduates

TANGERANG (JP): Pelita Harapan University -- dubbed the
country's most expensive university -- marked its first
graduation day on Saturday in a modest but joyful ceremony at its
campus in Karawaci, Tangerang, west of Jakarta.

During the ceremony, attended by former minister of education
and culture Wardiman Djojonegoro, the audience enjoyed the Pelita
Harapan high school student choir and hands bell group.

Representing his fellow students, new graduate Yunita Leeman
said in a speech from the stage that: "It's great to be a
graduate of this fine university."

Approximately 250 students enrolled at the university four
years ago: 77 of them graduated with university degrees, 21
students obtained three-year diploma certificates and 20 post-
graduate students also completed their studies.

"Some of the other students are staying behind (for further
studies) while a few left for different reasons, including
financial pressures caused by the country's continuing economic
crisis", Bul Penyami, rector's assistant for students affairs,
told The Jakarta Post.

At the ceremony a woman representing parents of the graduates
proudly told the audience that her youngster was participating in
a one-month training program in the Netherlands. Additionally, "a
big local company here" had offered employment to the lucky
graduate.

While Bul claimed that 60 percent of the graduates had been
successful in their job hunt, he acknowledged that not every
graduate would obtain work. Some of the students said they would
probably pursue post-graduate studies as current employment
prospects were not favorable.

In her search for employment, one graduate reportedly
requested an interview with James Riady, chairman of Lippo Group,
which controls the Pelita Harapan foundation managing the
university.

When asked by the Post to comment on the student's bid, James
said: "Pelita Harapan is not Lippo." The request was rejected.

The university, which currently has 2,464 students enrolled at
five different educational institutions, has an enrollment
entrance fee of Rp 16 million.

"We hope to attract 1,000 new students in the upcoming
academic term," Ana Regalado, rector's assistant for
administration affairs, said.

In addition to its university, the Pelita Harapan foundation
runs a kindergarten, an elementary school and junior and senior
high schools under the same name, which translates as "ray of
hope". (bsr)