SMU students as a big target - Part 1

Indonesian SMU students as a big target of International Universities and Colleges (1).

Since last September many Universities & Colleges around the world have been competing in influencing SMU students and parents to continue their education abroad. In this months SMU, Senior High School, students are preparing for UAN, Ujian Akhir Nasional that is National Final Examination. Universities & Colleges offer their best quality education with various fields of study. Many of them are frequent participants in International Education Exhibitions held in major cities in Indonesia. Who are they? What level of quality they are offering? Are they qualified? Do the students & parents know their own objectives?

Many Indonesian parents are very proud of having sons or daughters graduated from abroad, especially from USA and Australia, The facts that American and Australian graduates holds important position in prestigious companies and organizations. These graduates mostly from well accredited Universities & Colleges.

In Indonesia, it is a common that friends and relatives are significant factors in determining what field to study, which city to go, how to pay, and how long to stay abroad. Without knowing the accreditation status of Universities and Colleges, any information with intensive marketing efforts from them may mislead the students and parents’ objectives. It is the time to give better understanding of accreditation to SMU students and parents. Who will do?

However, many parents’ objectives are to send their children to have international experience, speak English fluently, degree from abroad, and working experience. After having degree, the children may works for parents’ companies; It is another crucial fact. Living abroad for years have strong influence in the graduates’ attitude and level of confidence. It is because many graduates will be in the regeneration processes of their parents’ companies.

On the other hand, some parents, who know a little about accreditation issue, try hard to figure out not only the chance of earning degree, but also the chance of acceptance. Again , who will give accreditation information ?