Tourism academy graduates 2,041

JAKARTA (JP): The privately run Trisakti Tourism Academy graduated 2,041 of its students in a ceremony Saturday at the Jakarta Convention Center.

Bambang Sumarsono, coordinator of the academy, said in a statement that almost 60 percent of graduates have already been accepted at several companies related to tourism.

"The students usually have a chance to work with various companies in apprenticeship programs. In a three-month session, they receive practical experience in a professional corporate.

"That is why most of them end up being recruited by the companies. The program indirectly saves a lot of students from being jobless after they graduate," he said.

Bambang said that despite the monetary crisis and lack of job opportunities these days, tourism has a brighter future.

"If the students are willing to work hard and improve their professionalism, there will always be jobs for them," he said. (edt)