What's happening in PresUniv
Has been long interested in environmental issues, Patrisya Deka Gutawa, chose to join the Industrial Engineering study program at President University in 2013. In the Alumni Sharing Session held by President University last week (4/7), the woman who is called Cia, told her the reason to study Industrial Engineering, her interest in the environment, and her journey in pursuing master's degree at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Brussels, Belgium.
Cia, who was interested in flora and fauna since she was young, started reading a lot of news or issues about global warming and climate change during high school. "It turns out that I am quite interested in such topics (global warming and climate change), where humans are harming our earth more and more without them knowing. Moreover, not many people are interested in exploring this field," she said. Explaining her reason for studying Industrial Engineering, Cia explained, "From what I read at that time, industrial waste has quite a big contribution to global warming. I want to see from the industrial technicians’ point of view, what kind of considerations that made them take that decision. If I do not understand what they are thinking, how can I deliver ideas or better industrial approaches that are environmentally friendly?”
Learning a lot of practical things at President University, Cia claimed that the experience was very memorable for her. "Previously, we were assigned to make a kind of factory. We arranged all of the processes from the beginning of the planning by ourselves and actually ran it for a month. So it is not just a theory, then making a business plan that you present in front of the class. We really do the profit and loss calculation, plan the production process, until the final products were produced," she recalled. There are also compulsory apprenticeship programs that enhance her hard and soft skills. She was no longer surprised by the international work environment when she was an intern in Loreal, Jakarta as she has learned it all at the class.
Not only academically, Cia admitted that extracurricular and organization activities at President University had helped her develop her soft skills. At that time, she was trusted to be the Vice President of the President University Student Union (PUSU) and became the Project Manager of the 2015 student orientation event with more than 1000 participants. She mentioned that the university gives full freedom for students to work and develop themselves through activities or events that are fully organized by students.
Accustomed to living and studying in President University's international environment, Cia now almost has no difficulty in adapting to the new environment in Brussels. Because all academic and non-academic activities at President University are conducted in English, she does not need to submit proof of English proficiency such as TOEFL/IELTS, therefore, the application process of her master's program becomes easier. Of course, this can save time and money too. Combining her interest in environmental issues with the current technological trends, Cia majored in Computer Science in Environmental Informatics at VUB.
She advised all students not to be afraid to try to speak English as much as possible even though there might be mistakes in it. She reminded students to be humble, willing to accept criticism, and do continuous learning as a way to become a better version of themselves. (JD/SL)
Alumni Sharing Session: Patrisya Deka Gutawa, dari Teknik Industri President University ke Informatika Lingkungan di Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgia
Telah lama tertarik dalam isu lingkungan hidup, Patrisya Deka Gutawa, bergabungan dengan program studi Teknik Industri di President University pada tahun 2013. Dalam acara Alumni Sharing Session yang diadakan President University pekan lalu (4/7), wanita yang akrab disapa Cia ini menceritakan alasannya kuliah Teknik Industri, ketertarikannya dengan lingkungan, serta perjalanan studi magisternya di Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) di Brussels, Belgia.
Cia yang dari kecil tertarik dengan flora dan fauna mulai banyak membaca berita ataupun isu-isu tentang global warming dan perubahan iklim saat SMA. “Ternyata, aku cukup tertarik dengan topik-topik semacam itu (global warming dan perubahan iklim) di mana manusia itu sesungguhnya makin membuat bumi ini rusak tanpa mereka sadari. Lebih lagi, belum banyak orang yang tertarik untuk mendalami bidang ini,” ujarnya. Menjelaskan alasannya mengambil Teknik Industri, Cia memaparkan, “Dari apa yang aku baca saat itu, limbah dari industri cukup berkontribusi besar dalam global warming. Aku ingin melihat dari kacamata seorang teknisi industri, pertimbangan apa yang membuat mengambil keputusan itu. Jika aku tidak memahami apa yang mereka pikirkan, bagaimana bisa aku menjual ide-ide, prinsip-prinsip industri yang lebih baik tapi juga tetap ramah lingkungan?”
Banyak mempelajari hal-hal praktis selama berkuliah di President University, Cia mengaku pengalaman itu sangat berkesan baginya. “Dulu kita pernah diminta buat semacam pabrik, kemudian kita pikirkan dari awal perencanaannya dan benar-benar kita jalankan selama sebulan. Jadi bukan hanya teori, membuat business plan yang kemudian dipresentasikan, kita benar-benar melakukan perhitungan untung rugi, proses produksi, hingga produk akhir itu jadi,” kenangnya. Terdapat juga program wajib magang yang menambah hard dan soft skills nya. Ia tidak lagi terkejut dengan suasana kerja dan lingkungan internasional saat ia magang di Loreal, Jakarta karena semuanya telah ia pelajari di kelas.
Tidak hanya secara akademis, Cia mengaku bahwa organisasi dan kegiatan ekstrakurikuler di President University telah membantunya mengembangkan soft skills-nya. Saat itu, dirinya dipercaya menjadi Wakil Ketua BEM atau yang lebih dikenal dengan President University Student Union dan menjadi Project Manager dari acara orientasi mahasiswa baru angkatan 2015 dengan lebih dari 1000 peserta. Ia menyebutkan bahwa pihak manajemen kampus memberi kebebasan penuh bagi mahasiswa untuk berkarya dan mengembangkan diri melalui kegiatan atau acara yang sepenuhnya diorganisir oleh mahasiswa.
Terbiasa tinggal dan belajar di lingkungan internasional President University, Cia kini hampir tidak menemukan kesulitan untuk beradaptasi dengan lingkungan baru di Brussels. Karena seluruh kegiatan akademis dan non-akademis di President University menggunakan bahasa Inggris, ia tidak perlu menyerahkan bukti keahlian bahasa Inggris seperti TOEFL/IELTS sehingga proses aplikasi program magister-nya pun jadi lebih mudah. Tentu, hal ini dapat menghemat waktu dan biaya juga. Menggabungkan minatnya dalam isu lingkungan dengan tren teknologi, Cia mengambil jurusan magister Komputer Sains dalam Infomatika Lingkungan di VUB.
Ia berpesan kepada seluruh mahasiswa untuk tidak takut mencoba berbicara dengan bahasa Inggris sebanyak-banyaknya walau mungkin akan terdapat kesalahan. Ia berpesan untuk terus rendah hati, mau menerima kritik, dan mau belajar sebagai cara untuk menjadi lebih baik. (JD/SL)
