UPH Festival 21: Jonathan L. Parapak, UPH Rector, Encouraged Parents to be Involved in the Education of Their Children

It?s an annual tradition in UPH Festival to held a program that was specially made for the parents of the new students. This program always get a positive responses from the parents, while this year almost 2500 parents were coming to the gathering at UPH Grand Chapel on Saturday 23 August 2014, which was happening from 15.30-17.00 before the closing event started. They came from various regions such as Maluku, Papua, Sumatera, and many more.

Jonathan L Parapak, UPH Rector, welcomed the parents

UPH Rector, Jonathan L. Parapak warmly welcomed the parents and appreciate their effort to attend the gathering. ?This were the proofs that you pay attention to your children education. This kind of support will proceed their campus life easier. The key points in education are from parents, then schools or the lectures. At UPH, we?re specifically giving hollistic education to the students, which might effect them if the parents are involved in the process. I hope there are a good relationship between the parents and the lecturers. It?s important to let the religious institutions to participate,? said Jonathan.

On this opportunity, Founder of Lippo Group, Dr. (Hon.) Mochtar Riady, conveyed his message towards the parents. In the beginning, he also appreciate the presence of the parents, then he shared his personal story that inspired the parents.

Dr. (Hon) Mochtar Riady, Founder UPH, conveyed his message towards the parents

?My mom left me when i was nine years old. Since then my dad is a single parent. Until I was thirty years old, my dad always put precise attention to take care of his children. From this experience, I have a commitment to be responsible on what I suppose to do. When i was a kid, I always find a way to make my parents proud. Now I have bigger responsibility. Not only to the family but also to the country and the community. Even bigger I need to find a way to glorify God. That?s why I decided to established UPH to be a tool to serve Him. I do my best to always make a free opportunity to open a lot of workfields for the country,? said Mochtar.

In this session, the parents were able to had a several dialogue with the rector. Few of the messages were talking about being disciplined. UPH forbid anyone to smoke in the campus, drug consumption, and immoral action. It is strongly stated if the students are breaking the rules, UPH will give them punishments that had been determined as well as the 85 percent of the students attendance. We do not discriminate, it is applicable for everyone,? stated Jonathan.

The other thing was about the acceleration program that enable the students to finish their study in three years. ?It?s not about being the longest but the content of the education. UPH still provides the exact credit and requirements of bachelor degree. We only want to maximize the time and the holiday of the students, which the schedule will be hectic. At the moment, UPH provides three choices of thesis defense such as skripsi, intership, and term of paper. This programs are also apply in several countries like Australia and America. All the graduates had been admitted by the government, ? explained Jonathan.

In the end of the gathering, the parents were invited to watch the human configuration that was demonstrated by the new students. (rh)

UPH Media Relations