Seventeen Papuan students have graduated from Corban University, Oregon under the Papua Special Autonomy Scheme scholarships, with some achieving Magna Cum Laude.
The seventeen Papuan youths come from various provinces in Papua who have proven their hard work in studying at one of the best campuses in Oregon’s capital, Salem.
In addition to graduating, they also managed to adapt to studying and living abroad. Yuliyani Lily Hokoyoku, a Political Science major who achieved Magna Cum Laude, received an Outstanding Applause at the graduation. Despite facing the problem of arrears in scholarship payments under the Papua Special Autonomy scheme, this did not dampen their enthusiasm.
Indonesian Consul General in San Francisco, Prasetyo Hadi who was present, expressed high praise for the students who graduated.
“This shows that perseverance, discipline, and hard work in learning will produce the expected results,” said the Consul General in a written statement on Sunday.
The students expressed happiness at the presence of the Indonesian Consulate General in San Francisco on their graduation day.
“The Indonesian Consulate General in San Francisco is like a parent to us, the presence of the Consul General and the team adds to the happiness we feel in addition to the emotion because also the presence of parents and families who can finally come all the way from Papua to the United States,” said Alpha Mandibondibo, one of the graduate students majoring in Psychological Counselling.
With this graduation, the number of Papuan students who are still studying at Corban University, Salem is 14 people.
On the sidelines of the graduation ceremony, several spoke on future plans. Some want to undergo internships in companies to increase their insight and experience, and even continue their studies to Masters and Doctorate levels. However, there are also those who want to contribute their knowledge and insight to development and progress in Papua and even Indonesia.
Mahmudin Nur Al-Gozaly, Consul of Socio-Cultural Information of the Indonesian Consulate General in San Francisco, added that Papuan graduate students must be ready to compete with other students from various regions in Indonesia.
“Even in the current disruption and globalization they must have adequate soft skills, good moral character, and the ability to manage themselves, in addition to they will be required to contribute positively to the development of Papua,” he said.
Praise also came from the university. Prof. Dr. John Mark Yeats, President of Corban University in a meeting with the Indonesian Consulate General in San Francisco on the sidelines of the ceremony, said that the university hoped the students would get full support from the Government of Indonesia.
“Indonesian students from Papua so far look very diligent, disciplined and receive good academic grades,” said Prof. Yeats.
Dr. Mechelle Garret, Chief Diversity Officer who is also Vice President for Global Partnerships at Corban University stated that the enthusiasm for learning of Papuan students is extraordinary.
“We watched closely and received reports from lecturers that the enthusiasm for learning of Papuan students was extraordinary and that it was an important capital for the future in front of them when they return to the country,” she added.
The Papuan student program, part a of program for the young generation of Indonesia to study abroad, including the United States, is an effort to improve human resources for the nation’s best youths. The quality of Indonesian human resources, including Papuans, is a major demand in the current era of rapid disruption.
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