In his scientific speech entitled, "National Progress, Education and Entrepreneurship," at Indonesian National University (UPI) campus here, Jusuf Kalla said formal education did not yield the spirit of entrepreneurship.
Kalla said the education on entrepreneurship originated from a strong desire of an individual who wanted to begin a business.
"Frankly speaking that in my experience as a businessman, I hardly ever get the spirit of entrepreneurship from formal education," said the former vice president.
He said that to start a business was like to learn how to swim.
"A man may know a lot about the theory of swimming but unless he plunges into the pool to swim, he will never be a good swimmer," the conglomerate said, adding that the same was also true with starting a business.
The former vice president made the statement at a function at the UPI campus to receive an honorary doctorate from the university.
UPI Promoter Team chairman Prof H Suryana said the honorary doctorate was awarded to Jusuf Kalla because the former vice president deserved it.
"From the academic and non academic aspects, brother Jusuf Kalla`s capability is undeniable. And he is also a figure with high discipline, loyalty, and personality in respect for the national identity," Sunaryo said.
He added that UPI awarded the honorary doctorate degree to the former vice president in the field of entrepreneurship education, linguistic and cultural education.
Besides Jusuf Kalla, a legislator from West Java, Popong Otje Djundjunan, was also awarded a similar degree by the same university on the same day.
Earlier on Thursday, March 10, 2011, Vice President Boediono also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Western Australia in Perth.
The university awarded Boediono with the degree because he had contributed a lot of meritorious services to the people during his career in the government.
(Uu.O001/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
