In a major move to boost links in the education sector, Indonesian universities have offered admissions to different courses to international students from the Middle East countries, especially Saudi Arabia.
Juhdi Syarief, education attaché at the Indonesian Embassy, said, “Jakarta has set up a large number of educational institutions across the country within the framework of a national education system, which allows foreign students to pursue education in Indonesia.”
He said that the Indonesian educational institutions had tied up with international faculties and universities of different countries.” In addition, some prestigious Indonesian universities also provide opportunities to international students to seek admission and study in Indonesia. Referring to the higher educational institutions in Indonesia, which are recommended for international students, he said that Institut Teknologi Bandug/ITB (Bandug Institute of Technology) was one of them.
Bandung is described as the city of education in Inondesia. There are many private universities and three main state universities including ITB. ITB with current enrollment of 15,000 students offers a range of science, engineering, and arts education. Nearly all faculties offer undergraduate, master and doctoral courses and degrees, which are provided by five faculties consisting of 31 departments and one School of Business Management.
The five faculties, he said, are Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Earth Sciences and Mineral Technology, Industrial Technology, Civil Engineering and Planning, Fine Art and Design. Referring to the importance of Bandung Institute, Education Attache Syarief said that this is a member of LAOTSE, an international network of leading universities in Europe and Asia exchanging students and senior scholars.
The university was ranked first in Asia in terms of student’s selectivity (Asiaweek 2000). ITB also receives international students to study in international programs. For more information, please visit: http://www.itb.ac.id/en/
In reply to a question about other educational institutions, which can better serve the purpose of Saudi students, Syarief said that the University of Indonesia is one of the oldest and best universities in that country. It has a cluster of colleges including 12 faculties and graduate schools.
He said that qualified graduates of the University of Indonesia had made their names not only in Indonesia but all over the world. Since its establishment in 1950, this university has continued to grow and flourish. “Today, the University of Indonesia remains a dynamic center of excellence for research and learning, attracting more than 30,000 Indonesian and international students,” he said.
Most international students come from countries like Korea, Japan, China, ASEAN countries, Taiwan, Turkey, India, Canada, the United States, and Australia.
The university has actively cooperated with other international universities and institutions especially in terms of cooperation in the fields of teaching, research, consultation and exchange of students and staff. The University of Indonesia offers both degree and non-degree programs for international students. For bachelor degree, the university currently offers three types of undergraduate/bachelor programs (regular, international and extension). In collaboration with the Australian universities, the university’s Faculty of Engineering, Psychology, Medicine, and Computer have been holding classes for international students leading to the award of undergraduate degrees.
The students are mostly taught in English. The test materials generally consist of Aptitude Test [SAT-like], TOEFL, and basic knowledge test.
Asked about any restriction imposed on the admission of foreign students, Syarief said that both local and international students were welcomed. The duration of different courses range from four to five semesters, mainly in conformity with the systems of Australian universities. For Masters degree, which is equivalent to MA/M.Sc, international students are enrolled by the university’s Faculty of Economics and Faculty of Psychology besides doctoral program, equivalent to PhD. For more information, visit: www.ui.ac.id/english/index.php
Besides the University of Indonesia, there are some other good universities in that country. They are: University of Airlangga, well-known Bogor Institute of Technology, University of Diponegoro, University of Gadjah Mada, University of Pajajaran, Surabaya Institute of Technology and others.
Also, Indonesia has well-equipped aviation schools. There are some aviations schools, which offer courses, leading to the award of License A1 (Fixedwing Airframe) and A4 (Gas turbine Engine). He said that the Indonesian Embassy could furnish more information.