I've recently finished reading
Freakonomics by eccentric economist Steve Levitt and
New York Times journalist Stephen Dubner. They explore basic social phenomenons and provide very surprising explanations (through very rigid empirical methods). Some controversial topics include, inferring legalized abortion plays a significant role in the reduction of crime in America, opposing Shakesphere's famous quote "What's in a name?" on the strong effect of a child's name in determining their future, and the most puzzling theme on how schoolteacher and sumo wrestlers are very much in common. You might think, "Wow, that's a really cool research for an economist." Well, you may be very correct in your assertion. Anyway, should'nt economist be looking out for more complicated numbers and predicting which stock is going to surge in 10 years, what country is experiencing deteriorating currency thus impacting their overall GDP, and relating how oil prices are going to cause decreased productivity? Yeah, that's their main prescribed job.
So, who is actually responsible for giving data for matters concerning education (widely discussed in
Freakonomics), social change, and individual difference (or similarities)?
Oh right, it should be social scientists trained to make assumptions about the social world we live in. Most likely, psychologist or anybody with a degree in that field. Now, let me tell you a more close to home story. I'm a psychology student enrolling in a dual degree program from the University of Indonesia (UI) in partenership with the University of Queensland (UQ). Both are very highly credible institutions in their regions and around the world. The University of Indonesia's Faculty of Psychology claims as the pioneer of such program in the year 2000. Not long after this was followed by University of Indonesia's Faculty of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, and the last to establish an Internasional Class the Faculty of Economics.
Making a logical assertion, if Bill Gates was pioneer to the computer software industry spefically designed to make computers run on a single operating system and that results in him being a millionaire then UI's Faculty of Psychology must have the most advanced progress in their program.
And logic fails us again.
In UI's Faculty of Economics (FEUI) International Class - in conjunction with The University of Melbourne - (yup, the newest International Class in UI just existed in 2004) website (
http://www.fe.ui.ac.id/programakademik/kelasinternasional/) there are some very interesting facts.
Okay, same strategy as UI's Faculty of Psychology just different university with comparable quality in the same region. But, hey there's something else.
"FEUI is also in the final process of getting partnership with the Faculty of Business, Economics, and Law, the University of Queensland......"No worries, UQ's Psychology remains the best in Australia. And isn't Canberra's Australian National University is still the best for Economics around here.
"FEUI has also secured partnership with the Marshall School of Business, the University of Southern California (USA)..... ranked 9th best in USA by US News and World Report (2005)..."Oops. My mouth is faster than my brain. Once again.
"FEUI is also in the process of getting collaboration with the Waikato Management School, the University of Waikato (New Zealand)..... "Hahaha, what kind of name is that. So those Economics people are just trying to find partners all over the globe.
" .....Waikato Management School has been awarded the Best Management School in New Zealand (Ministry of Education Rankings)....."Okay, I better shut up.
"In the coming year of 2006, FEUI is also planning to secure partnership with several other reputable universities, such as the University of Tilburg and the University of Amsterdam (Holland) and the University of Birmingham (UK)....."Wow.
The FEUI even has resolved matters that is still regularly disputed in UI's Faculty of Psychology.
Failed subject
"In accordance with the faculty regulation, no make-up test is given. Student is, however, granted accelerated semester ($500/subject, with a maximum of 5 subjects) to retake course(s) or to enable him/her to finish study on time or earlier."
Whereas, in the Psychology where the official rule states International Class students has the rights for a make up test. In practice, most lectures are very difficult to approach even we are able to do so expect the deregatory remarks on the International Class pupils low standards (academically, ethically, or morally) compared to the rest of students. And this treatment applies to every student, even the hard working intelligence ones, as some of our teachers often repeat such thoughts while lecturing.
2. Course Requirements
While the Economics International Class students can view their syllabus (in UI) on the website, I am expected to tie my hand waiting for the Academic Division to select the subjects and changing them every year for each cohort. We Psyc students are also unable to select a elective during our study at UI. The Academic Division response, "We are doing this so there can be effective learning for you.". Yeah, right.
3. Facilities
From the FEUI International Class:
"The program provides a computer room with access ONLY for international undergraduate class students."
We share the overcrowded computer lab.
"The program provides student with a lounge with luxurious sofas and multi-channeled television connected to Cable."
HAHAHAHA, not in our wildest dream.
"The program provides students with book counter for main reference and magazines. Thus, students can borrow main textbooks instead of having to queue in the faculty library. In addition, the program also subscribes economic and business magazines, both foreign and local, that students can use to find information for homework or lecture assignment."
For all you UI Psyc Students (regular, extention, international) remember that unfriendly angry stare when we want to photocopy any material in the library from that photocopy machine operating guy? Yeah, I still do.
"Students in this international undergraduate class have their own resource centre..... responsible for processing student administrative registration, arranging time schedule for tutorials and lectures, arranging time schedule for exams, and building student data base."
And they merge our international class office in this small booth.
"Students in this program have their own restrooms, separated for male and female. The program hires cleaning staffs to keep the restrooms clean, tidy, and comfortable at all times."
I really could go on and on. And the evidence is just limited to one website. Imagine if I was able to do a comparative field research on this topic. The list would be endless.
Now, I'm ready to conclude my opinion.
I guess the economist in FEUI were using a very simple theory called Return on Investment (ROI). By justifying the high investment yielded by the students and their parents by giving benefits in accordance to the rate of return which was expected. The people at FEUI enchance this through a technique called product differentiation by making progression in developing partnership with other reputable universities with a global name that makes them more appealing compared to the other dual degree programs. They even provided firm (but reasonable) core rules and syllabus in their website so interested consumers sensed a sense of stability when investing.
And how about the psychologist jedi-mind-tricks strategies? The must have wanted to avoid the social jealousy by the regular program students thus enforcing conformity among the students. Furthermore, to stop the minority International Class Students for having a say in any policy they give Godsent rule such as abandoning International Class Students to join the Senate due to "such activities may cause student to become distracted from their studies.", a decision I call oppression (although, one student of the 2004 cohort was allowed to join with a littel of importance position). And some adolescence developmental or educational psychology expert must founded that university students are best when every decision is made for them including elective subjects.
Okay, okay. You economics people win. You deserve to publish a book regarding human behaviors and societal changes. And yes you can take those Indonesian ministerial positions even in unrelated portfolios such as, the Education Ministy, Culture and Tourism Ministry, Social Ministry, Forestry Ministry, and even take the post of Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare. Take everything you want and let us psych majors be your slave. We deserve it at least for the ignorance we practice.
