Graduate

Bernadus Ermanto

Being able to study in one of the best universities in the country, such as UGM, of course, is a great feeling for most of the high school graduates. The same was what I have ever dreamed when I was in the last year of my secondary education. And luck was going with me, when I passed the exam through PBUD scheme and being admitted to Gadjah Mada University, Faculty of Mathematics Natural Sciences, Department of Mathematics, with the concentration in Computer Science. I can not describe in writing how enthusiastic, happy, nervous, impatient of it when I immediately entered a new period of my learning journey. Yes, the combination of feelings that can not be described in words.

When lecture starts, as a freshman it seems lots of things I need to learn in addition to the course material. Studying away from my parents, learn to manage money, learn to be responsible for myself, with a selection of adult learning. The bottom line for me, the college is a learning process multi-dimensional life. The first two semesters I spent with friends pursue basic subjects, and at that time, many of my friends complained about the amount of stress that the basic course materials have mathematics. They seem to have a lot of hope for study with advanced nan matter of informatics and computing. For me, I rather chose to study all matter quietly, without asking although it also does not understand very well what is the use of the basic sciences. I could find the answer to that question is when I have started to work. After stepping in the second and third years, it started many courses with a choice of diverse materials.

Campus, library, laboratories and a boarding house are four settings that dominate my life at that time. The results are disappointing. GPA that I got was never less than 3.5. At least, my parents at home can calm smile each time got a copy of the results of study one semester. At least, they can rest easy that their children learn.…

A few days of graduation, I get a letter from PT. Freeport Indonesia that is stating that I passed the management trainee program in company with work sites in Irian Jaya. I was undergoing a new phase of my life, switching from students into workers. In March 1998, I went to Irian along with 34 other management trainee participants from all over Indonesia. There are some fellow alumni of UGM, who became a management trainee as my generation. My first placement was as a management trainee in the environmental department. Rather strange indeed. I was a graduate of Mathematics-Computer Science but was assigned to help the department in charge of the environment. The first six months, my job is to implement a laboratory information system. Working closely with colleagues from the MIS department, I am implementing a new system purchased at the same duty to operate it. Many of the things I learned in the six months, more than just implementation of information systems but also about the project organization, change management and many more. …

At the end of 2000, I began to think of my desire and my priorities again. I want to learn more. God answered my prayer and desire when I got a scholarship to take a master’s program at the University of New South Wales Australia. In less than one and a half years I managed to finish my master’s program in engineering science with honors.  In 2002, I returned to Indonesia and tried to pursue a job that is more related to Information Technology. Within two years from 2002 to 2004, I worked in two IT companies: Sigma and Fujitsu as a system analyst and solution architect. Early 2004 I went back to work in the mining world by joining in Newmont Nusa Tenggara, Copper and Gold  Mining company operating in West Nusa Tenggara. Approximately six months I worked at Newmont before I moved to the company where I work today: PT Vale Indonesia (or formerly known as PT. Inco), a company mining and processing of nickel that is part of Vale global second largest mining company in this world. Vale, as my personal passion and aspiration paired with the culture and values of the company. Slowly I climbed the career ladder in a company that upholds the value of “the people’s values”. In 2005, one year after I joined the company I get a chance to occupy a position of manager in the IT department.

When I try to recall my journey from the beginning, I started attending college labeled rural campus, when I am confused about what classes should I choose when I had to go to the Papua to start my career, I do not believe that I could to the point where I am now. I believe that God plays a role and work to support me, and I believe that has also been striving for excellence. This achievement is the fruit of hard work and totality. The fruit of patience and commitment. The fruit of a series of decisions that I take. It is a small piece of my story, my learning process that I’ve passed. I still have much to learn. The process was never completed. There are still a lot of hope and desire that I want to achieve personally and professionally…

For friends who are still studying or just graduated, do not feel “mediocre” for being a graduate of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, or feel smaller than the graduates of other universities. Give the best to them (to your employers) and expand horizons with insight the various ways that you can get. I am always proud to introduce myself in both national forum or international that I was a graduate of the Department of Mathematics UGM. It is a part of my identity, which defines who I am today. There is no limit in the career you may want to explore the potential for yourselves and do not put yourself in a box of narrow career. Just because you were graduated from mathematics, chemistry, physics then you are reluctant to learn other subjects.  Do not think that your job opportunities are limited.  What you learn in the university, all the basic logic is placed, it is a very valuable capital to be whatever you want. I have already undergone the process, and there are still many things I want to do, there is still a long journey, and I’m sure that I can achieve it. I am still so excited, nervous and willing to learn, like when I first set foot on the UGM campus.

Being able to study in the best universities in the country, such as UGM, of course, a great feeling for most of the high school graduates. The same was what I have ever dreamed when I was in the last year of my secondary education. And luck was going with me, when I passed the exam through PBUD scheme and being admitted to Gadjah Mada University, Faculty of Mathematics Natural Sciences, Department of Mathematics, Department of Computer Science. I can not describe in writing how enthusiastic, happy, nervous, impatient of it when I immediately entered a new period of my learning journey. Yes, the combination of feelings that can not be described by words.

When lecture starts, as a freshman it seems lots of things I need to learn in addition to the course material. Studying away from my parents, learn to manage money, learn to be responsible for myself, with a selection of adult learning. The bottom line for me, the college is a learning process multi-dimensional life. The first two semesters I spent with friends pursue basic subjects, and at that time, many of my friends complained about the amount of stress that the basic course materials have mathematics. They seem to have a lot of hope for study with advanced nan matter of informatics and computing. For me, I rather chose to study all matter quietly, without asking although it also does not understand very well what is the use of the basic sciences. I could find the answer to that question is when I have started to work. After stepping in the second and third years, it started many courses with a choice of diverse materials.

Campus, library, laboratories and a boarding house are four settings that dominate my life at that time. The results are disappointing. GPA that I got was never less than 3.5. At least, my parents at home can calm smile each time got a copy of the results of study one semester. At least, they can rest easy that their children learn.…

A few days of graduation, I get a letter from PT. Freeport Indonesia that is stating that I passed the management trainee program in company with work sites in Irian Jaya. I was undergoing a new phase of my life, switching from students into workers. In March 1998, I went to Irian along with 34 other management trainee participants from all over Indonesia. There are some fellow alumni of UGM, who became a management trainee as my generation. My first placement was as a management trainee in the environmental department. Rather strange indeed. I was a graduate of Mathematics-Computer Science but was assigned to help the department in charge of the environment. The first six months, my job is to implement a laboratory information system. Working closely with colleagues from the MIS department, I am implementing a new system purchased at the same duty to operate it. Many of the things I learned in the six months, more than just implementation of information systems but also about the project organization, change management and many more. …

At the end of 2000, I began to think of my desire and my priorities again. I want to learn more. God answered my prayer and desire when I got a scholarship to take a master’s program at the University of New South Wales Australia. In less than one and a half years I managed to finish my master’s program in engineering science with honors.  In 2002, I returned to Indonesia and tried to pursue a job that is more related to Information Technology. Within two years from 2002 to 2004, I worked in two IT companies: Sigma and Fujitsu as a system analyst and solution architect. Early 2004 I went back to work in the mining world by joining in Newmont Nusa Tenggara, Copper and Gold  Mining company operating in West Nusa Tenggara. Approximately six months I worked at Newmont before I moved to the enterprise where I work today: PT Vale Indonesia (or formerly known as PT. Inco), a company mining and processing of nickel that is part of Vale global second largest mining company in this world. Vale, as my personal passion and aspiration paired with the culture and values of the company. Slowly I climbed the career ladder in a company that upholds the value of “the people’s values”. In 2005, one year after I joined the company I get a chance to occupy a position of manager in the IT department.

When I try to recall my journey from the beginning, I started attending college labeled rural campus, when I was confused about what classes should I choose when I had to go to the Papua to start my career, I do not believe that I could to the point where I am now. I believe that God plays a role and work to support me, and I believe that has also been striving for excellence. This achievement is the fruit of hard work and totality. The fruit of patience and commitment. The fruit of a series of decisions that I take. It is a small piece of my story, my learning process that I’ve passed. I still have much to learn. The process was never completed. There are still a lot of hope and desire that I want to achieve personally and professionally…

For friends who are still studying or just graduated, do not feel “mediocre” for being a graduate of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, or feel smaller than the graduates of the universities. Give the best to them and expand horizons with insight the various ways that you can get. I am always proud to introduce itself in both national forum or international that I was a graduate of the Department of Mathematics UGM. It is a part of my identity, which defines who I am today. There is no limit in the career you may want to explore the potential for yourselves and do not put yourself in a box of fine job. Just because you graduated from mathematics, chemistry, physics then you are reluctant to learn other subjects.  Do not think that your job opportunities are limited.  What you study in the university, all the fundamental logic is placed, it is a precious capital to be whatever you want. I have already undergone the process, and there are still many things I want to do, there is still a long journey, and I’m sure that I can achieve it. I am still so excited, nervous and willing to learn, like when I first set foot on UGM campus.

Usman Thamrin was born in Pontianak on November 10, 1962. The fourth child of the seven children of a couple named Usman A. Syukur (late) And Hj. Salmah Abdullah. After completing Senior High School at SMAN 2 Pontianak, he continued studies in an undergraduate program at the Department of Chemistry University of Gadjah Mada, with Proyek Perintis (PP II) in 1981. The supervisors during the study at UGM were Dra. Retno W., MSc. (late) and Dr. M. Muchalal. In January 1988, he began his career in a glue industrial enterprises in Pontianak. In November 1988, he started a career as a lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tanjungpura. In 1993, he continued his M.Sc. Studies at ENSCT-INP Toulouse in France in the area of Agro-industry Chemistry, with a scholarship from ADB – Indonesia. After completing his M.Sc. Studies in 1993, he went on to study his Ph.D. program on the same campus. He is married to Dewi Ayumi, SE. and blessed with three children: Nabila Pyrenina, Abdurrahman Tsany and Amirah Nurazizah
After finishing his Ph.D. program, he returned to his homeland, established the Center for Study of Agro Industry and Agribusiness at UNTAN was assigned by the Rector UNTAN to prepare the opening of the courses of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology). In 2002 the operating permit courses of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology were approved by the Higher Education, Rector UNTAN assigned to be the Chief Manager of Natural Sciences (Preparation) UNTAN. With the issuance of the establishment of the Faculty of Science UNTAN by Higher Education, he was appointed as the dean. After serving as Dean of the Faculty UNTAN for 1.5 periods, he appointed as the Rector of the University Tanjungpura for the period of 2011 to 2015.

As he was setting career as an academic, the research activities are also conducted. He owns national patent ID P No. 0023215 dated April 6, 2009, Method for Producing Biodiesel Transesterification with Catalyst of Ash of Empty Palm Fruit Bunch. The other patent is in the process that is Synthesis of Biodiesel from Sludge Oil Method using Esterification Catalyst PTSA-Kaolinite.

Testimonial

Lecturers in the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences UGM, are very patient, not only to teach but also educate. Yogyakarta is a city as the place for the formation of characters, with all the complexity in this town, it should be in the day to day for studying to live with things that are positive and beneficial for self-development, which could ultimately shape the personality and be useful in the future lives.

• Place of birth: Teluk Nibung, Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan
  Date of birth: March 20, 1968
  Status: Married, 3 children
  Current job: General Manager for New Business Development, PT Indonesia Toray IndustriesEducation:
  Dept. of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, UGM, Yogyakarta. 1987-1994. Bachelor.
  Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. 1997-1999. M. Eng.
  Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. 1999-2002. PhD.

  Work:
  PT Elnusa (Oil Company), Junior Field Engineer, 1994.
  Faculty of Engineering, University of Tanjungpura Pontianak. Lecturer 1995- 1996.
  Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan, and Visiting Researcher, 2002-2004.
  Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan, Research Associate 2005.
  Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CIR), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan, Visiting Associate Professor (2006).
  PT Osimo Indonesia, Administration Manager, 2007 to 2008.
  PT Osimo Indonesia, Director 2008-2013.
  PT Indonesia Toray Industries, General Manager for Business Development, 2013 – present. With the additional duties as Manager in Indonesia Toray Science Foundation 2014 – present.
  Testimonial

  Testimonial:
  Department of Physics Alumnus. When started studying at the Department of Physics dozen years ago (in 1987) I was often annoyed with questions about the courses I was taking.

  “Majoring in Physics? You study at Teachers’ Training College (IKIP) or UGM? ”
  “UGM, for sure.”
  “But why is at the Department of Physics at UGM? Not at the Teachers’ Training College? ”

  “If at the Teachers’ Training College Physics Education. The graduates can become a physics teacher at the school. If at the Dept of Physics at UGM? ”
  “So, what you can do when you graduate?”
  “Many. I can work as a researcher (at BATAN, LIPI, BPPT), as lecturer, as employee at a company, too. ”

  Such an explanation was not necessarily make people understand. Many think that those who can work in the industry are only engineering graduates. After a dozen years on, it seems the situation has not changed much. People still consider the Physics Department has not offered a lot of places in the job market. Even students of physics itself may think so. There was uncomfortable experience I have ever tasted, although not directly. I have a cousin who lives in Bandung. He studied at a polytechnic institute where demands acceptable good works. Even before graduating they reportedly had tied up a contract. I heard a lecture in the physics department, he was told by my brother who happened to visit his home. “Change the subject wrote his sister. Sorry you later will graduate unemployed. He said”.

  When he heard that I can only smile bitterly. But I am sure that I will not be unemployed. When I graduated I had worked briefly in the oil field, as a logging engineer at PT Elnusa, which was still a subsidiary of Pertamina. Physical job collecting data of oil wells through various types of measurements. Yes, this is the work of physics, which is also done by the engineer. In oil wells, data on the electrical resistance, porosity, gamma ray intensity, and others necessary to ascertain whether in a well contained oil or not, as well as allow it to be pumped or not. Before that I was interested to apply for the job at company that manufactures semiconductors in Batam, although I finally canceled.

  Soon I was working in the oil field. I was quit, then moved to work as a lecturer, then I got a scholarship for M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs in Japan. After I graduated from my M.Sc. program, actually I was offered a job in the quality control at Matsushita Electronics, to be placed at its plant in Indonesia. But at the time, I chose to go to the Ph.D. program. Having graduated from Ph.D. degree, I worked as a researcher at two universities in Japan.

  After two-year-working in Japan, I returned to my homeland to return to work as a lecturer. Unfortunately, I face problems so I decided to resign and return to Japan to work as a researcher. Then I come back to my homeland, working in the plastic processing plant for six years. This work is absolutely no relationship with the physical sciences. My task is to manage all aspects of the company, involving human resources, finance, taxation, logistics, production, and many more things. Then I moved to my current job, building a new business as a GM business development. This job is a little much to bring me back in touch with physics research, though indirect nature.

  Going through the career path with spectrum of jobs that can be undertaken by the graduates majoring in physics with very diversed. From all of that just once I “went away”, working in a field where physics was almost completely unused. The rest, all are closely related to physics. Including the two that I did not take.

  But why physics graduate is often considered difficult to get a job, especially in the industrialized world? Some should we expect as the cause. First, the industrial world does not seem to get adequate exposure to the physics department. For example the company are more open to hiring graduates of chemistry than physics graduates. Many chemistry graduates who were employed in the field of quality control or product development. Whereas the competence of graduates of physics and chemistry does not differ greatly, especially in the context of employment in the industry, mostly in the early careers only require a basic level of competence measurement. Majoring in physics itself is rarely present themselves as a department that has the competence to work in the industrialized world. Business does not seem to specifically emphasize the question of competence. Curriculum apparently still do not have a specific stress. As a result, students do not have a clear vision to work in the industry, and are not confident with it.

  Third, many physics students who do not master the other skills needed to work in the industrial world, one of them English language skills. When I took a test to work in the oil field once the test is very simple, that are IQ tests. People with good IQ can certainly pass. But the matter is given in English. As a result, more than half the participants falling at the first stage, but to my knowledge they are all smart. Lack of English language skills make them a little failure. The story I steered away. Many have scoffed at when I worked as a factory manager. I considered too pragmatic, does not appreciate his doctorate and physics that I have. “Move the field” for some people considered major sins, such as hypocrasy.

  In fact, “switch the path” for me is an opportunity to learn, expand the horizons of science. By moving the line, I had a chance to learn a lot about the ins and outs of the business. There are aspects of human resource development, financial management and taxation. In short, I learned how to build and manage a healthy company, making a profit. The capital is what brought me to work now. At this job knowledge (research) physics combined with business knowledge. Moreover, not many people know that I have long “path”. The last year in Japan, I worked as a Visiting Associate Professor at the Interdisciplinary Research Center, Tohoku University. Where I did research on the structure of DNA. At that time one of the trends in the world of research is working the possibility of utilizing the DNA in nanotechnology. Because in the period before the research on DNA done by researchers in the field of biochemistry and medicine, then half of the time I spent in medical school library, I learnt a lot about the biochemistry and medicine.

  So, from my experience, the real physics graduate can work in any company they want. The condition? They have to build solid competence for it, and want to continue learning. Both work in the fields directly related to the physics, as well as when working in a completely different field. So, there is no reason to worry about being unemployed. On the other hand, this is a challenge for the manager of the department of physics to help students develop specific competencies, and at least, to promote it.