UI to hold all-graduate reunion

JAKARTA (JP): At least 3 percent, or 2,000, of the University of Indonesia's (UI) 60,000 alumni are expected to attend the all- graduates reunion at the university's Depok campus, south of here, on Sunday, reunion organizers said on Monday.

Arianto, chairman of the organizing committee, said the reunion, designed for alumni from all departments and graduating classes, would be the first of its kind.

The first graduates of UI, one of the most popular state universities in the region, received their diplomas in 1964. The 49-year-old university currently has 11 departments and several degree programs.

Sunday's reunion, called Back to the University's Culture, is meant to remind UI alumni about the culture they all once fought for: "the culture that accepts different thoughts".

"We hope that all alumni engaging in politics accept different opinions wisely and fairly," Indrajit, deputy chairman of the Association of UI Alumnus, said.

Prior to the reunion, the organizers will hold a one-day seminar titled Burying the New Order's System and Culture on Thursday at the Depok campus.

Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono, who is also a UI alumnus, will be the keynote speaker at the seminar, organizers said.

On Saturday, a number of noted entertainers who are UI alumni will take part in a musical show at the Depok campus.

The artists will include singer Tika Bisono and musician Chandra Darusman.

Also on Saturday, a talk show on political issues, titled Establishing a New Nation's Culture after the New Order's Era, will be held.

The show will present a number of politicians who are UI alumni, including Yusril Ihza Mahendra of the Crescent Star Party, Roy B. Janis of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle and Faisal Basri of the National Mandate Party. (01)