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)