Approximately 1,400 High School Students Attended IPB Goes to School 2018 Program in Kebumen

This year, Communication Forum (FORKOMA)  of Bogor Agricultural University  from Kebumen established IPB Goes to School (IGTS) 2018 program to promote IPB for XII grade students of 16 Senior High Schools and Madrasah Aliyah (MA) in Kebumen District. The theme of the program "I'm Ready for New Step Forkoma Kebumen IPB", a series of Roadshow activities to SMA and MA in Kebumen District was held on 17-27 January 2018. Around 50 students involved in this program activities. The total number of students attended IGTS in Kebumen was about 1,400 students.

Various responses of high school students and MA were expressed, they told that they were very interested in pursuing their higher degree program at IPB for various reasons, such as: because of IPB ranked the 3rd  in Indonesia, alumni of IPB graduates are working in a field that relates to their degree after leaving university or even obtaining employment  in any fields. Some students even expressed their reason to pursue into IPB as there are abundant scholarships available provided by the University. They also admitted that were very keen  looking forward to meet IPB students to visit their schools for  socialization.

As stated by Nazwar Samsu, students of XII class of MIA F SMAN 1 Kebumen. "This socialization program is very interesting. The socialization of IPB which is organized by IPB is very attractive. All of our senior in the class are actively involved in presenting  the materials and answering questions. Thanks to this socialization I became more knowledgeable about IPB and it increased my interest to study in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biosystem, of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology of Bogor Agricultural University (FATETA IPB). I expect that I will be able to develop modern agriculture technology for Kebumen Regency, "said Nazwar.

Good response was also stated by one of the teachers for Guidance and Counselling of SMAN 1 Gombong, He stated that IPB socialization program was very helpful to increase the knowledge of students about universities, especially IPB. "On behalf of our school I would like to express our sincere thanks for Kebumen students who study in IPB, as they have initiated to organize the socialization program for students in Kebumen.  Of course this event is very useful for our students, especially about the world of learning, especially in IPB. In the future I hope more and more students of Kebumen will be admitted into IPB and applying their knowledge they learn for developing the agricultural system of Kebumen. "

Various questions asked by students who participated in IGTS in Kebumen was  a prove their  enthusiasm. Many students asked about IPB, on the prospect of working employment and the Department under IPB, and the subject matters taught in each Department, the IPB admission systems, life in the campus of IPB, the scholarship, the cost of living , student activities and Student Activity Unit (UKM) and facilities provided by  IPB.

There was one quite interesting which was raised by Riska Tri Susanti, high school student SMA1 Prembun. "Ma’am, according to the information I got freshmen students are required to live in dormitories during their first year, is it true? Can you tell me the living costs to live? Is there any activity for students in dormitory ? "

FORKOMA member who is also student of IPB cohort 2017, Amanah Zakiah replied, all freshman students of IPB are required to stay in dormitory for one year in the beginning of their study at IPB. After that the students may stay in regular dorms or boarding / rented houses. Some boarding / rented houses have established cooperation with IPB in providing residential facilities which of course correspond to the price. "According to Amanah, the cost of boarding / rented houses ranges from Rp 2.5 – 5 million per year. For foods, there are plenty of food stalls around the campus that offer cheap foods. You can spend Rp 7,000 for one meal consisted of rice, eggs and vegetables. "There are a lot of activities in the dormitory planned by the students, pray in congregation for tenants of similar block. In addition, there are some internal organization in the dormitory, such as  the Board of Dormitory Discipline, the Board of Mosques, and the Dormitory Club. One room is for four students minimally as each student has to interact with others. The boarders must be from different areas, therefore boarders must learn to appreciate cultural differences, religion, and their worldview," she said. (Wied)