What's happening in PresUniv
(Press Release) The industrial era 4.0 which was triggered by technological developments offers many new opportunities. However, to be able to seize these opportunities, we are required not only to be able to master technology, but also to be able to adapt quickly (agile). That was the statement from Prof. Dr. Jony Oktavian Haryanto, the Rector of President University, in the 15th graduation ceremony that was held online on Sunday, October 25, 2020. This graduation ceremony took the topic of Economics Development through Combination of Artificial Intelligence and Automation and was attended by nearly 1,000 students.
In his speech, Prof. Jony also emphasized that this graduation ceremony marks the end of the learning process of the graduates, but on the contrary. "After graduating, I invite all graduates to continue to improve their knowledge. Learn, and keep learning so that we become more adaptive, able to follow technological developments and trends that occur in the industrial world," he said.
This effort is also done by President University. Prof. Jony explained that in addition to preparing students to be able to achieve the highest academic achievement and have a professional ethic, President University also educates students to master various knowledge and skills based on Information & Communication Technology (ICT). "ICT-based courses must be followed by all students in all study programs," said Prof. Jony.
To increase the absorption of graduates in the job market, President University also has built partnerships with companies from various industrial fields. The realization of these partnerships is carried out in various forms, such as guest lectures from practitioners, internships, company visits, research collaborations, mentoring, and so on. Prof. Jony said, "Thanks to the internship, many of our students have received job offers, even though they haven't graduated from university."
Apart from industry, President University is also actively collaborating with the best universities in the world. Among them, with the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom. The collaboration includes scholarship opportunities for President University alumni who continue their studies at the University of Glasgow.
On the other hand, in order to increase its competitiveness, including the competitiveness of its graduates, President University continues to improve the process of implementing its education programs. As a result, President University obtained accreditation A from the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education (BAN-PT).
A few weeks before graduation, several study programs at President University also received A accreditation. They are the Law Study Program and Master of Informatics Engineering (MIT). Previously, several study programs had also been accredited A, namely Information Systems, Information Technology, Management, and Business Administration.
Opportunities in the Middle of a Pandemic
While the world is fighting against the Covid-19 virus, Prof. Jony invited the graduates to see this pandemic as a new opportunity, a unique opportunity. "Currently, layoffs are occurring everywhere. Many job seekers have difficulty finding work. There is a saying, the rough seas created skilled sailors. So, it's time to turn the pandemic into an opportunity to sharpen the entrepreneurial spirit."
Now, in the midst of a pandemic, many new businesses have arised that can even be managed with just gadgets. The presence of these new businesses has been very helpful for the community. So, Prof. Jony invited the graduates to build new businesses that combine the knowledge they gain during the university with technological developments. "I am optimistic that the graduates' new businesses will have a real impact. Not only helping people survive in the pandemic era, but also creating a better and more hopeful world,” said Prof. Jony.
In line with Prof. Jony, founder of President University, S. D. Darmono, D.Univ. (Hon) also emphasized that the changes that occurred during this pandemic would be fun if the graduates were able to adapt quickly. One of the important elements in adaptability is networking. That's why Darmono reminded the graduates, "Maintain good relations with fellow alumni and continue to expand networks. Networking and building those friendships are very important to your career. Both those who have careers as professionals, entrepreneurs, including those who are involved in politics."
Currently, the network of President University graduates is not only spread within the country but also abroad. This is because President University students, including graduates, come from 19 countries in the world. This gives students and graduates the opportunity to have broad connections.
In this graduation ceremony, President University also invited Cleopatra Veloutsou, professor of brand management from the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom. In her virtual message, Prof. Veloutsou emphasized the importance of graduates not only having knowledge, but also understanding how to use it. “The university has taught thinking skills. Use these skills to expand your frame of mind. Try to find a solution. Try to find alternative approaches that can solve problems in the community," said Prof. Veloutsou. (SL)
Wisuda President University 2020: Peluang Unik di Tengah Pandemi Covid-19
Cikarang, 25 Oktober 2020. Era Industri 4.0 yang dipicu oleh perkembangan teknologi menawarkan banyak peluang baru. Namun, untuk bisa merebut peluang tersebut, kita dituntut bukan hanya harus mampu menguasai teknologi, tetapi juga harus mampu dengan cepat beradaptasi (agile).
Demikian pernyataan dari Prof. Dr. Jony Oktavian Haryanto, Rektor President University, dalam upacara wisuda ke-15 yang diadakan secara daring pada Minggu, 25 Oktober 2020. Upacara wisuda kali ini mengambil topik Economics Development through Combination of Artificial Intelligence and Automation dan diikuti oleh hampir 1.000 mahasiswa.
Dalam sambutannya, Prof. Jony juga menekankan bahwa upacara kelulusan ini penanda akhir dari proses belajar dari para wisudawan, tetapi malah sebaliknya. “Setelah lulus, saya justru mengajak semua wisudawan untuk terus meningkatkan pengetahuan. Belajar, dan terus belajar agar kita menjadi semakin adaptif, mampu mengikuti perkembangan teknologi dan tren yang terjadi di dunia industri,” ujarnya.
Hal tersebut juga dilakukan oleh President University. Prof. Jony menjelaskan bahwa selain mempersiapkan mahasiswa agar mampu meraih prestasi akademik yang tertinggi dan memiliki sikap profesional, President University juga mendidik mahasiswanya untuk menguasai berbagai pengetahuan dan keterampilan yang berbasis Information & Communication Technology (ICT). “Mata kuliah yang berbasis ICT wajib diikuti oleh seluruh mahasiswa di semua program studi,” tegas Prof. Jony.
Untuk meningkatkan serapan lulusan di pasar tenaga kerja, President University juga menjalin kerja sama dengan banyak perusahaan dari berbagai bidang industri. Realisasi kerja sama itu dilakukan dengan berbagai bentuk, seperti kuliah tamu dari para praktisi, magang, company visit, kerja sama riset, mentoring dan lain sebagainya. Ungkap Prof. Jony, “Berkat magang, banyak mahasiswa kami yang sudah mendapat tawaran pekerjaan, meski mereka belum lulus kuliah.”
Selain dengan industri, President University juga aktif menjalin kerja sama dengan universitas-universitas terbaik di dunia. Di antaranya, dengan University of Glasgow, United Kingdom. Kerja sama itu meliputi peluang beasiswa bagi alumni President University yang melanjutkan studi di University of Glasgow.
Di sisi lain, guna meningkatkan daya saingnya, termasuk daya saing lulusannya, President University terus membenahi proses penyelenggaraan program pendidikannya. Hasilnya, President University memperoleh akreditasi A dari Badan Akreditasi Nasional Perguruan Tinggi (BAN-PT).
Beberapa minggu menjelang wisuda, beberapa program studi (prodi) di President University juga mendapatkan akreditasi A. Mereka adalah Prodi Hukum dan Magister Teknik Informatika (MIT). Sebelumnya beberapa prodi juga telah terakreditasi A, yakni Sistem Informasi, Teknik Informatika, Manajemen, dan Administrasi Bisnis.
Peluang di Tengah Pandemi
Sementara dunia berjuang melawan virus Covid-19, Prof. Jony justru mengajak wisudawan untuk melihat pandemi ini sebagai peluang baru, peluang yang unik. “Saat ini PHK terjadi di mana-mana. Banyak pencari kerja yang kesulitan mencari pekerjaan. Ada ungkapan, lautan ganas justru menciptakan pelaut terampil. Maka, inilah saatnya mengubah pandemi sebagai peluang untuk mempertajam jiwa kewirausahaan.”
Saat ini, di tengah pandemi, justru banyak bisnis baru yang bermunculan yang bahkan bisa dikelola hanya dengan gadget. Kehadiran bisnis-bisnis baru itu ternyata sangat membantu masyarakat. Maka, Prof. Jony mengajak wisudawan untuk membangun bisnis-bisnis baru yang menggabungkan pengetahuan yang mereka peroleh selama kuliah dengan perkembangan teknologi. “Saya optimis, bisnis-bisnis baru para wisudawan akan memberikan dampak nyata. Bukan hanya membantu masyarakat untuk bertahan di era pandemi, tetapi juga menciptakan dunia yang lebih baik dan penuh harapan,” tegas Prof. Jony.
Senada dengan Prof. Jony, pendiri President University, S. D. Darmono, D.Univ. (Hon) juga menegaskan bahwa perubahan-perubahan yang terjadi di masa pandemi ini justru akan menjadi sesuatu yang menyenangkan jika para wisudawan mampu dengan cepat beradaptasi. Salah satu unsur penting dalam kemampuan beradaptasi adalah networking. Itu sebabnya Darmono mengingatkan wisudawan, “Jagalah hubungan baik dengan sesama alumi dan terus memperluas jejaring. Berjejaring dan membina persahabatan itu sangat penting bagi karier Anda. Baik yang berkarier sebagai profesional, pengusaha, termasuk bagi mereka yang terjun ke dunia politik.”
Saat ini jejaring wisudawan President University tak hanya tersebar di dalam negeri, tetapi juga di luar negeri. Sebab, mahasiswa President University, termasuk lulusannya, juga datang dari 19 negara di dunia. Ini membuat mahasiswa dsan wisudawan berkesempatan untuk memiliki koneksi yang luas.
Dalam upacara wisuda kali ini, President University juga mengundang Cleopatra Veloutsou, profesor brand management dari University of Glasgow, United Kingdom. Dalam pesannya yang disampaikan secara virtual, Prof. Veloutsou menekankan wisudawan tentang pentingnya untuk tidak hanya memiliki ilmu, namun juga mengerti bagaimana cara menggunakannya. “Universitas telah mengajarkan keterampilan berpikir. Gunakanlah keterampilan itu untuk perluas kerangka berpikir. Cobalah mencari solusi. Cobalah untuk menemukan pendekatan alternatif yang dapat menyelesaikan permasalahan yang ada di komunitas,” demikian pesan Prof. Veloutsou. (SL)
