UPH is not only giving knowledge to its students in order for them to be intelligently smart, but al
During every graduation ceremony in almost every university, a Latin song entitled ?Gaudeamus Igitur? is always sung. Many know the song, but not the meaning. The title means ?Therefore, let us rejoice?. Rejoice is what was in the hearts of Universitas Pelita Harapan students who had their graduation ceremony on April 12, 2008. After completing their education at the university, those students finally earn their right to bring UPH?s name into society.
Prof Dr Haryoto Kusnoputranto SKM Doctor of Public Health, the coordinator of Kopertis Wilayah III (Coordination of Private University for the Third Territory) underlined the importance of quality education in facing globalization in his speech. Similar to the vision of UPH, the message delivered in the speech is for private universities to increase the quality of the education, in terms of wit, emotional, and spiritual. By doing so, the quality of the alumni will have good knowledge in their fields and good faith at the same time. The speech also emphasized the need to accommodate traditional culture in university learning.
This message is echoed in the words of the president of Wheaton College, Dr Duane Liftin. In his speech, the professor who had just landed in Jakarta the day before said that it was time for the graduates to commence their real duty. UPH has tested them during their studies at the university, now it was their time to test the university on whether or not it has given them the right lessons in order to be able to exist within society.
Liftin?s words further cemented what UPH?s Rector, Jonathan L Parapak stated earlier, where he underlined the importance of holistic education. Parapak mentioned that UPH is not only giving knowledge to its students in order for them to be intelligently smart, but also developing the students? faith in God so they will have faith in Him and noble character. This is in accordance with the vision of the university: true knowledge, faith in God, and Godly character.
The ceremony also included a part where the best graduates of each level of education were given awards. They are Adeline Lukman (Diploma degree, from Tourism School), Rica Kartika Handayani (Bachelor degree, from Faculty of Computer Science), and Yunita Wijaya (Master degree on Management). During an interview with CampusAsia, both Lukman and Handayani emphasized the advantages of studying in UPH, which are international curriculum, professional lecturers, and impressive facilities. Furthermore, Handayani said that the lecturers consider their teaching duty as a service to the students. This has made the students not hesitate to ask the lecturers should there be any problem. After their graduation, both Lukman and Handayani are looking forward to continuing their study abroad. Lukman wants to continue her study at Swiss, and Handayani at the US.
Three hammer knocks from the rector signified the end of the graduates learning in the university and marked the beginning of their long and tougher journey in the society. As said during the Graduates Promise, the UPH graduate will always be honest and professional in doing their tasks in the society and honor the name of their university, Universitas Pelita Harapan.
The graduation ceremony inaugurated 677 out of 715 students who have finished their study. It was also attended by one of the founders of UPH, James T Riady, and the advisor of UPH, Mochtar Riady.
During the graduation, CampusAsia was able to obtain an interview with the three best graduates: Adeline Lukman, Rica Kartika Handayani, and Yunita Wijaya. They share their opinions on their education at UPH and also their plans for the future.
Adeline Lukman (Diploma III from Tourism School)
I?ve been interested in tourism ever since I graduated from high school. The experience during my travels made me interested in learning more about this subject. The hotel management sector is developing, and competition is getting tight. The diploma education on hotel management that I have just finished at UPH is only the beginning of my quest to know more about this subject. That is why I?m willing to continue my study for the Bachelor or Master degree. Considering the bright prospect of this business, I?m interested in starting my own [business]. However, I have to be directly involved in the service business itself before starting one. I have to start from the basic so I know everything, practicum and management.
UPH?s Tourism School has good facilities, especially for kitchen, housekeeping, and front office; everything has been adjusted to international standards. So, if I?m working abroad, I would be familiar with the standards.
The curriculum is also an international standard one. I?ve compared it to the curriculum abroad. What I studied here is also studied abroad. The lecturers are professional, and most of them have been working in the service business so they know how to handle guests and teach it to the students.
Rica Kartika Handayani (Bachelor Degree from Faculty of Computer Science)
After graduation, there are lots of challenges to face since communication and technology have developed so fast in this globalization era. As a UPH alumnus, I have to respond to those developments. I have a lot of opportunities to gain in the future, such as continuing my study or working as a professional. I am planning to take my Master degree before working.
To continue my study in robotics, I?m planning to go to the US, because this subject is already advanced there, and I like the learning environment. After finishing my studies, I want to work in a company that suits my skills.
For me, studying at UPH is one complete package. At UPH, we are not only taught about the knowledge and science, but also the spiritual development. Besides that, our character and personality are also developed. The complete education is in accordance with the vision of UPH, to produce leaders who have true knowledge, faith in God, and Godly character.
UPH also provides free internet access. The facilities are also advanced, and it helps me a lot in computer science subject. The curriculum is also an international one. I?ve searched universities for my Master degree and already studied the requirements needed at UPH. The lecturers are professionals since they all have obtained Bachelor degree; some have even achieved the Doctorate degree. Moreover, all of them have the serving principle that makes them consider their job as a service.
Yunita Wijaya (Master Degree on Management)
The education at UPH?s Master program is satisfactory. Not only do the lecturers teach the theories, they also have working experience to be shared with the students. I?m not looking for lecturers who can only teach the theories since I can read those in books. The curriculum and facilities provided are better than those in other universities. One thing I can do in UPH and not at other universities is accessing online journal and data for free.
I want to do my best in the work I?m having at a chemical company. I also have plans to teach and share what I?ve learnt. For my future career, I don?t have any plan to go abroad as I already have job and business to do in Indonesia.
For me personally, the best graduate predicate is a blessing. I didn?t do many things during my study. All I did was study during the exams and work on the assignments. Other than those, I usually look for learning materials besides those given by the lecturers.
By Marcel Glen Longdong, CA
