The founding and growth of the Fakultas Teknik Jurusan Elektro (FTJE)


Forerunner of the Fakultas Teknik Jurusan Elektro

Prior to the establishment of the FTJE in 1968, Satya Wacana Christian University (UKSW) had already established a Faculty of Mathematics and Science (FIPIA) in 1962.

One of the lecturers at the time was Rev. Evan Lewis, M.Sc, who was sent by the New Zealand National Council of Churches Rev. Lewis taught Calculus in FIPIA during the period 1962-1965, prior to Rev. Fred van Emmerik’s arrival in November 1964.

The establishment of FIPIA provided the foundation for the later founding of FTJE.

Excerpts taken from "Encounter" (Presbyterian Church of Australia newsletter)

In the July 1972 issue of "Encounter" Rev. Fred van Emmerik wrote:

" In order to fit in with existing Departments at nearby State Universities, and also to make the best possible use of our own Physics Department, it was decided to specialize in Eletrical Engineering. The greatest need seemed to be in that field."

F.L.van Emmerik's leadership

While the presence of FIPIA (founded in 1962) helped the fledgling Faculty by providing some lecturers to teach the basic sciences (Basic Physics, Mathematics I) – for example, Drs. P. M. Marpaung, Soemargo B.Sc, amongst others, the core electrical engineering subjects ultimately required part time lecturers and guest lecturers from other Institutions.

pak Soes
pak Soesianto

It was through the tireless efforts of Rev. Fred van Emmerik, M.Eng.Sc (as the founding ‘Pembantu Dekan’ or Acting Dean of the Faculty) in recruiting these lecturers (amongst others: Rev. Ir. Timotius Subekti, plus guest lecturers from the nearby Gajah Mada University, Harry Johannes B.Sc, Samuel Mandagi B.Sc) that enables the first generation students to follow a study path for Electrical Engineering (Elektro) at the University.

Prof. Ir. F. Soesianto BScE PhD

Pak Soes was one of the lecturers recruited for part time teaching in the new faculty from Fakultas Teknik Elektro Universitas Gajah Mada in Yogyakarta.

He delivered the course “Transmission lines” to the first generation students, and made the lectures alive with his humour and teaching techniques.

Both pak Soes and pak Adhi (responsible for Electronics in those early years) are holding Professorships in Electrical Engineering at Gajah Mada University currently.


The success of FTJE

The popularity and success of the founding of Fakultas Teknik Jurusan Elektro was conveyed by pak S.Subanu M.A. (then Acting Rector, Satya Wacana Christian University) in his letter to the Australian Presbyterian Board of Missions (APBM) in December 1969 - letter excerpts as follows:

(letter dated 15th December 1969)

Australian Presbyterian Board of Mission
P.O. Box 100 GPO
Sydney NSW 2001

Dear Sirs,

Since many years you have been helping us by sending and sustaining the van Emmerik for our University. He was also the man who proposed to the Satya Watjana Board of Trustees to open a Department of Electrical Engineering which has now been opened for two years.

The Department has aroused the interest of society so much, more than the Physics department, that we could only take one fourth of the candidates for this department each year.

But, with the growth of the classes (in 1970 we will have three classes) we are much troubled by a great shortage for electrical engineers who are willing to work as teachers. They like to work in private business where they can earn as much more money.

Up to now Mr van Emmerik is the only full time lecturer. Next year (1970) will be his last year of service.

We have an English Department which is also struggling for teachers. It has about one hundred students and has been given the highest recognition by the Indonesian Government, that is the authority to confer Bachelor and Master degrees without any supervision of the State Universities.

...

(pak Subanu then made the case of requesting one full time Electrical Engineering staff and one full time English Dept. staff)