PETRA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY:
Its identity and struggle as a Christian university
Arlinah imam Rahardjo
Church-Related Higher Education
Valparaiso University
Indiana
April 17, 2002
PETRA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
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Located in Surabaya - East Java, Indonesia
Private, Christian with Chinese-Indonesian
majority
Part of the bigger system of Indonesian National
Education
Indonesian Higher Education : 51 Public ; 1300
Private ( 270 million population)
Catholic Higher Education ( Private ) : 14
Christian Higher Education ( Private ) : 33
East Java : 3, Surabaya : 1 ( Petra Christian
University)
Brief History of PCU
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1949 : Dutch submission, not enough schools with
Indonesian language
1951 : Chinese-Christians needs education for their children.
Chinese Christian Education Foundation (BPPKT) was
set up under the banner of the Chinese Protestant
Churches Synod. Junior & senior Higher School were
offered to Christian community
1954 : BPPKT replaced by Petra Christian Educational
Association( PPPK Petra) - independent from church
1961 : Petra Christian University : English Department
1965 : Petra Christian University Foundation ( members:
representatives from PPPK, 6 Churches , Christian
public figures) 6 churches : 4 Protestants, 2
Pentacosts
2002: 1 Grad, 6 undergraduate (15 Study Programs), 3 Non
degree with 10.000 students
The Goal of National Education System
& Higher Education
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to improve the quality of life of the society by educating
Indonesian people to be good citizens spiritually,
morally, intellectually and responsible to the society as
well as to the development of the country
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to prepare
the members of society to have the
academic/professional ability for the application,
development and discovery/ invention of science,
technology and arts for the benefit of the society
Based on Indonesian Legislation No 2. 1989 & Public law No. 30, 1990)
THE NEEDS & CHALLENGES OF INDONESIAN HE
> Demand on Quality
international standard
global values
competition
life-long learning
globalization
diversity
Economic crisis
Reduced funding
limited resources
Low enrollments
CHALLENGES
Petra
Christian
University
Insufficient quality & system
mismatch with the needs of the
society
insecure political condition
insufficient seats for schools
PCU Vision & Mission
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Vision
to become a well-recognized higher learning institute
which actualizes love, truth, peace and freedom.
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Mission
to produce creative graduates who have excellent
capabilities in their fields of expertise as well as caring
attitudes based on Christian values and able to contribute
themselves for the nourishment of meaningful and
harmonious living of the pluralistic Indonesian society.
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Logo :
– white Cross representing sacred love of Christ.
– The yellow-gold ribbons symbolize the greatness and
sovereignty of God .
– The foundation made of rock represents the strong
faith, from where the name Petra comes from (
Matthew 16:18)
Strategic Plans : 1994/2000 - 2004/2005
CARING AND GLOBAL UNIVERSITY
caring
excellence
global
IT-based
Eff & eff
EFF-EFF
Vision and
Mission of
PCU
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CHRISTIAN IDENTITY AT PCU
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Christian Faith as the foundation of Petra
Christian University.
Petra Christian University is committed to
excellence both in academic performance as
well as characters.
Those excellence is shown in the act of
serving others
The pursuing of excellence is not directed
only for individuals but to the benefit of the
society and the country
Commitment to Christian Faith
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The members of the Foundation, the President and
leadership position of University, Policy on recruitment
worship services, fellowships, Bible Study , retreats,
seminars, religious celebration ( coordinated by Christian
Center), scholarships
Required and selective Christian- related Courses offered
by Department of General Courses
Christian-based Biblio-therapy, peer-counseling and
character building programs ( coordinated by Guidance
and Counseling center)
orientation for new students, student activities, Class
Teaching, research, work ethics
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PERCENTAGE OF CAMPUS POPULATION
students
Christian
Catholic
Buddhism
Islam
Hinduism
Others
total number
50.80%
32.20%
10.50%
5.50%
0.50%
0.50%
9588
academic staff
admin. staff
69.90 %
61.80 %
25.10 %
8.20 %
Learning
1.80 %
Environment 29.40 %
2.60 %
0.90 %
0.50 %
227
Sources : University President ’s Report, Sept 30’ 2001
364
Commitment to Excellence in academic and
characters
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Strategic Plan
Dialogues between knowledge,faith and values
through Christian-related activities/courses and
teaching
character building programs
Curriculum complying to international quality
standards
national/international partnerships, conferences
researches
information-technology based teaching/facilities
scholarships for students with good academic
achievements
Serving others as a reflection of Christian Faith
are practiced through
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Caring attitude and sensitivity toward campus
community, environment and society
scholarships for students with financial
problems
consultation, workshops, training for community
empowerment programs
student community outreach programs
medication
charity works
etc.
TO THE BENEFIT OF THE SOCIETY AND
THE COUNTRY
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Development of the regional potential resources (
folk crafts, natural resources etc.)
responses to national problems
education in Eastern Indonesia
gender study, inter-religion dialogues, rural
appraisal, environment issues study
Christian Center
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Worship services every Monday
Bible study, small group fellowships among
academic, administrative staff and students
retreats, Revival Services
workshops, seminars for campus community as
well as churches
religious celebration & programs ( Christmas,
Easter etc.)
campus-wide prayers
Department of General Courses
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Required courses
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Religion - Christianity ( 3 semesters) : doctrine
Pancasila - Indonesian Philosophy of Life
Christian Ethics
Professional Ethics
Required courses for specific departments
– Basic Social Science
– Basic Humanities
– Basic Natural Science and Technology
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Selective courses
– Leadership Ethics
– Christian Family Ethics
– Christian Music Appreciation
– Creation ( viewed through Christian and Scientific perspectives)
Community Development Center
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Community-Benefited Program
– participated by all members of campus community:
giving scholarships, private lessons, skills training, charity
programs
– participated by academic staff : giving consultation,
planning, designing and developing construction works,
information system, agricultural tools, workshops,
research for churches, Christian institutions and lowincome community
Partnership & empowerment programs : research,
consultation in developing folk-crafts, natural resources etc.
Community Outreach Program for students
1 month opportunity for students to serve and learn in the rural
areas, offered as an elective course.
Study and training
social analysis, social diakonia, gender study, urban, rural
appraisal, environmental issues, inter-religion dialogues etc.
Music Ministry
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Goal :
– help churches to develop their music ministry
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programs:
– extension programs in Choral Conducting,
Vocal Technique, Music Theory, Children's
Music
– seminars and training for the churches
– Concerts for the appreciation of Church Music
– music literature ( in the future)
– inculturalization of traditional music to modern
Church music
Struggles
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living harmoniously in a pluralistic society with Moslem
majority
bureaucracy of the authority office
dichotomy way of thinking : separation between Christian
life and social, economic, political and cultural issues
Globalization : no limit of information access,
development of science and technology etc.
concepts of para-church and church ,
disintegration among denominations ( especially between
Christian and Catholics)
quality versus Christian background in recruiting
academic staff