Producing graduates via world-class education

Producing graduates via world-class education

Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

National plus universities are becoming increasingly popular
among local parents and even among expatriate parents because of
the unquestionable quality of the education they offer.

These universities have introduced international standards to
their curricula, one of the major strengths that lures students,
and several of the universities have received international
accreditation.

They offer degree and non-degree programs under tight
supervision from well-known foreign universities. They also use
English as a medium of instruction.

Some of the universities have attracted students from a number
of different countries, so like international schools they
provide positive values resulting from a multicultural and
multinational environment.

These universities include Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH),
the Swiss German University (SGU), the International
Undergraduate Program (IUP) at Universitas Bina Nusantara
(UBiNus), Monash College at Jakarta (MCJ) and the Gandhi
Institute of Business and Technology (GIBT).

These so-called national plus colleges and universities are
considered better than most national universities thanks to their
international education systems and curriculums. Graduates of
these universities are expected to have high academic
qualifications, enabling them successfully to enter the job
market.

The emergence of national plus universities dates back to
several years ago when educators and businesspeople were deeply
concerned about the poor quality of local universities, which
produced many graduates who were unprepared to enter the job
market.

This led to the establishment of UPH in 1994. The number of
such universities has increased since then due to the rising
demand for a high quality education, especially in subjects such
as business, computers and information technology (IT).

There are different types of national plus universities in the
country, with different academic programs, educational systems
and curriculums. Several universities have academic links with
prestigious overseas universities, with academic programs,
curriculums and educational systems referring to the overseas
universities.

Other universities modify their curriculum after ones from
overseas universities, to make their educational standards
equivalent to those of top overseas universities.

As universities with international standards, all elements
related to learning receive the highest attention, starting from
supporting facilities like libraries, laboratories, sports
facilities and auditoriums, to academic staff, curriculum and
syllabi.

Even though categorized a national plus universities, or those
adopting world-class educational curriculums, each of these
universities have their own curriculum and educational system.
Several universities, like UPH and UBiNus, base their curriculums
on national ones, but enriched with international knowledge.

With its spacious and modern campus in Lippo Karawaci,
Tangerang, Banten, UPH offers academy, undergraduate and
postgraduate programs. Its curriculum is modified with particular
aspects of curriculums from overseas universities thanks to its
collaboration with prestigious universities from several
countries, including the Unites States, Germany, the Netherlands,
Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the UK and France

"We have to keep pace with the changing world. Therefore, we
take particular aspects of curriculum in accordance with the area
of study and combine them with our own curriculum," said UPH
marketing and admissions division head Lelly Sudjarwadinata.

She said practical knowledge was emphasized to give graduates
the ability to innovate and to develop their knowledge and skills
before plunging into careers.

Most of the teachers at UPH are professional, which helps to
better prepare students for the world of work, she said.

"Graduates are expected to be expert scholars in their
respective fields and to be ready for work," Lelly said.

The university has attracted some 6,000 students, of whom 10
percent come from overseas, including the U.S., the UK, Germany,
France, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan.

The UPH campus is also known as a "Digital Campus" and is
truly modern with its satellite and Internet networks, enabling
faculty members and students to use wireless laptops to access
the Internet around campus.

SGU offers bachelor's and master's degrees, with students
having the opportunity to continue their studies in Germany after
two years of study in Indonesia.

SGU's curriculum is based on the German model, with students
receiving not only theory but also balanced practical experience.

SGU's general administration head, Mina Arsita, said that in
line with the university's programs, most of which are in applied
sciences such as mechatronics, IT, business administration, and
hotel and tourism studies, students are required to attend
internship programs.

"Students in semester three should attend an internship
program at home, while those in semester six should attend a
program abroad, such as in Germany," she said. "Graduates are
expected to be skilled professionals to fill the need for
qualified graduates in the country."

Established in 2000 in Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD), Tangerang,
Banten, SGU is the first university in Indonesia to adhere to
European standards. The university is equipped with state-of-the-
art facilities such as IT labs with permanent Internet
connections and automation and mechatronics laboratories.

At Monash Collage at Jakarta (MCJ), students have the
opportunity to take a diploma program before pursuing their
bachelor's or master's degrees at Monash College in Melbourne,
Australia.

MCJ offers course programs in business and IT, with an
educational system and curriculum fully adopted from Monash
College.

"By fully adopting Monash College's educational system and
curriculum, students are expected to be familiar with the system
so that they can easily adjust to the Australian environment when
they continue in their bachelor's or master's degree," said MCJ
marketing manager Arliana.

GIBT, established a year ago, offers non-degree programs in
English and Mandarin. The institute is gearing up to offer
bachelor degree programs in business, IT and marketing
communications.

GIBT is expected to adopt an international educational system
and curriculum following the signing of an agreement with Charles
Stuart University (CSU) from New South Wales, Australia.

"Our graduates are prepared for the challenges that lie ahead
of them in their future business life," said GIBT head Michael
Goodwin.

Tuition fees charged at these national plus universities are
relatively expensive. UPH, for instance, charges admission fees
for academy and undergraduate programs ranging from Rp 21 million
to Rp 78.5 million. While, the admission fee for master's
programs ranges from Rp 7.1 to Rp 13.4 million.

SGU charges a registration fee, including entrance test, of Rp
300,000. Tuition for the first academic semester is set at Rp 22
million. Tuition for internship programs is Rp 11 million.

Taking an eight-month course at MCJ will cost a student over
Rp 50 million.