Prabowo Meets Indonesian Students At Columbia University

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (second from the right) was accompanied by Indonesian student Andra Gusman (right) while walking around Columbia University campus in New York, United States. (ANTARA/HO-Personal Documentation)

JAKARTA - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto took the time to meet and talk with Indonesian students studying at Columbia University, New York, United States, on the sidelines of a visit to Uncle Sam's country.

An Indonesian student at Columbia University, Irviandra Gusman, said Prabowo was invited by Indonesian students to see the library and classroom at one of the best campuses in the world.

"Pak Prabowo really likes books. So we go into the library to see the books in the library," said Irviandra, the son of the Chairman of the DPD for the 2009-2016 period, Irman Gusman, as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, August 24.

"Pak Prabowo asked a lot about the Columbia University campus," said the student who is usually called Andra Gusman.

Prabowo, he said, wanted to see campuses that could be used as examples.

"When I talked about campus commitments, by investing in the construction of the new Columbia Business School building for educational purposes, Pak Prabowo was very enthusiastic," explained Andra Gusman.

The Columbia Business School student said Prabowo advised Indonesian students in the US, especially those studying at Columbia University, to work hard and be able to show Indonesian identity among students from other nations.

"Pak Prabowo also advised to be able to return and serve the nation," said Andra.

Seeing Prabowo's enthusiasm for the campus, Andra believes that Prabowo is a figure who sees the development of education as a big agenda for Indonesia in the future.