UPN offers new study program

UPN offers new study program

YOGYAKARTA: While most other privately run universities in the country are getting rid of their non-degree programs, the National Development University (UPN) Veteran Yogyakarta is offering a new non-degree program: D3 chemical engineering.

"The decision was based on an industrial survey that we conducted last year, which revealed that the demand for non- degree graduates is much higher than for degree graduates. The ratio is 1:4," head of the study program of chemical engineering Zubairi Achmad, said on Friday.

However, due to the limited number of lecturers at the university -- there are 10 at present -- the new study program is targeted to receive only some 50 new students for the 2004-2005 academic year.

As a non-degree program, which is supposed to equip students with ready-to-use skills, the D3 chemical engineering program will emphasis laboratory work.

"If it is successful, we will offer more non-degree programs in the future and may consider a polytechnic program here," Zubairi said. --JP