Trisakti holds commencement

JAKARTA (JP): Trisakti University held commencement exercises for 1,898 students yesterday.

Among the graduates at the Jakarta Hilton Convention Center were a granddaughter of Gen. (ret.) Abdul Harris Nasution and a daughter of North Sulawesi governor Maj. Gen. E.E. Mangindaan.

Nasution's granddaughter, Marina Edyarti Nurdin, graduated from the school of law. Mangindaan's child, Fika Devy Cinthya Mangindaan, received her diploma from the school of economics.

Of the graduates, 46 were postgraduate students and the other 1,852 undergraduates.

Nasution, 79, appeared healthy and cheerfully greeted well- wishers.

When asked about his wish for the graduating class, the Armed Forces' most senior general said the nation still placed its hopes in the youngsters.

"When we struggled for Indonesia's independence, we had almost nothing. But we were able to achieve the freedom. First of all, we should trust our own abilities. Don't just rely on the help from others (foreign countries)," he told reporters.

Mangindaan, who also attended his daughter's graduation ceremony, recalled that his daughter also took part in student rallies on her campus. He declined to say if they were antigovernment protests.

"I never prohibit my daughter from joining demonstrations as long as she complies with the rules," he added.

Trisakti University has produced 233 postgraduates and 33,884 undergraduates since its founding in 1965. (ivy)