Maglev Implementation Project; Is Indonesia Prepared?

              

             Magnetic Levitation or Maglev, as implemented in technologically sophisticated countries, is considered as the world’s fastest commercial-train operated through one centimeter suspension above a single track to allow wheel-less system for exceedingly high speed. Nevertheless, despite its alternative potential to displace over the role of airplanes for the future land-based transportation, the uncertainty and fierce opposition towards jeopardy that the train may bring have emerged to be put into thorough consideration. The first disapproval is in the high costs involved in the project implementation. Due to Maglev’s extremely high speed, sky track rather than conventional one should be constructed along one to the other stations, or otherwise, underground tracks should be constructed in the accepted standard to provide adequate protection against any possible failures or accidents. This construction, therefore, would no doubt push the government into paying out billions of dollars which is not a good idea when taking into account Indonesia’s other massive and pressing problems. Secondly, no one can guarantee whether or not the project will be run until completion. Remember, the Jakarta’s MRT project shows no signs of completion despite its much shorter-haul. From this viewpoint, as a result, the integrity of the government and related private should be questioned on the basis of great worry whether the project will remain neglected as the preceding one. More importantly, Maglev is less environmentally friendly. It produces noise pollution and electromagnetic radiation which—in years—is likely to put people into danger. Experts show that long term exposure to electromagnetic radiation is responsible for diseases, such as digestive problem and even cancer. Indeed, by any means, Indonesia is not yet completely prepared for the Maglev implementation project, and tackling Indonesia’s pressing problems should take priority before considering tertiary needs as such.

Does non-academic involvement matter?

Photo’s courtesy of:  iso.uni-hohenheim.de

                While a number of university students raise no particular interests in non-academic involvement, such as organizations and community services, the following upon-experience-based facts suggest that you should put non-academic involvement into consideration. The first and decisive factor will go to your academic success. Most international scholarships and non-graduating exchange student programs, such as the British Chevening Scholarships and TF National University of Singapore Learn Award, are awarded to students on the basis of both academic and non-academic accomplishments which are underpinned by certificates. These certificates are the basic references to presume that the students have already acquired certain skills prior to any circumstances they may come across in their new environments. Also, non-academic involvement is believed by many experienced students to help you with regards to discovering your passion. In the organizations or community services in which you are engaged, you tend to do various projects. As you work on those projects, you will be benefited a great deal in discovering what sort of doing matches your passion and potential. From this starting-point, hence, you are two times likely to develop you potential and set what future career may suit you. The last reason to consider about non-academic involvement is its promising prospect to win in the battle of highly competitive job-finding era. Due to the increasing demands for fresh graduates with soft skills seen as essential aspect to make good employees, universities throughout Indonesia, including University of Indonesia, has recently recorded and issued statements of students’ non-academic involvements bearing grades such as good, fair or excellent. Most importantly, the statements will—with other accompanying documents--help students remain in the shortlisted candidates in the company to which they are applying. Therefore, those clearly depicted reasons above should convince you that student involvement in organizations or community services does matter, and that you should start thinking of engaging yourself to it! :D