RI's university graduates lack social awareness

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's universities have been successful in producing intelligent professionals who constitute the country's "strategic elite group", but have failed in instilling in their graduates an awareness of their social environment, an official says.

State Minister of Public Housing Akbar Tanjung, speaking in his capacity as a former student activist, said in a discussion on the benefit of student organizations here yesterday that universities should become a place for character building.

"Campuses are not only places where students are taught to become experts in their fields, but also where they build their personalities," he told about 100 participants at the Atma Jaya Catholic University.

"Universities are not just factories which produce professionals geared to lead technology development. Campus life should also develop the students' social solidarity," he said.

The discussion was held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Atma Jaya Students Forum of Scientific Discussion. It also featured former manpower minister and student activist Cosmas Batubara.

Akbar criticized today's students as being "individualistic, egoistic and hedonistic". The students are more concerned about their own interests and are reluctant to get involved in social activities, he said.

The students appear to consider whatever is going on outside of their immediate campus environment as something which is not of their world. "I call this apathy. This apathy will then alienate the students from the society," Akbar said.

The separateness from society will leave extensive and long- lasting effects on the students, he said.

He pointed out that the ideas, attitudes and behavior of the alienated students, who are considered the society's elite, have great impacts on their community.

The alienation which people experience also leaves long- lasting effects in the sense that the characteristics that they have acquired during their student years will remain and affect how they later play their roles in society.

Akbar continued his criticism of today's students by saying that they lacked leadership and "intellectual sharpness".

"We expect universities to produce quality intellectuals and professionals who also have leadership qualities," Akbar said.

He suggested that universities provide enough activities and space for students to develop both their scientific and social skills.

"For the students to develop critical minds, a democratic learning situation is needed," Akbar said. "Social and academic activities are needed for the students to develop their leadership, talents and interests, sharpen their minds, as well as cultivate their social sensitivity." (31)