Mr. Bian came to Tomsk State University to attend the graduation ceremony of his son, Steven Wijaya, a graduate of the Institute of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science from Indonesia. In the future, Steven plans to apply for a master's degree program at TSU and hopes that his father will support his decision.
Steven Wijaya came to Tomsk 4 years ago from Surabaya (Indonesia). The young man decided to study Fundamental Informatics and Information Technologies at the Institute of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, one of its most promising and popular programs. Steven's family initially doubted that IT education should be obtained in Russia, but these doubts were dispelled during Steven’s studies.
“I always thought that the best education in computer science was only available in Western countries,” said Mr. Bian. “But, as it turned out, such education in Russia is no worse than in the West! I am sincerely grateful to everyone that my son was able to enter TSU and receive his education here.”
Over the four years of study, Steven has experienced many challenges: He adapted to the Siberian climate, to the educational program, and to the peculiarities of life in a Russian city. Moreover, the most difficult thing that any international student faces is homesickness.
“Obviously, I missed my son,” Mr. Bian recalled. “But I always support my child's decisions, and I supported him, when he decided to go to Tomsk to study. I am immensely proud of Steven!”
After receiving his bachelor's degree, Steven is considering studying in Tomsk and applying for a master's degree program at TSU.
Tomsk State University has been cooperating with Indonesia since 2015, when TSU participated in Project 5-100, and then TSU decided to establish close cooperation with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. Tomsk State University in collaboration with Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) opened its representative office in November 2023, the first representative office of Russian universities in Indonesia. There are currently about 80 students from Indonesia studying at TSU, including 17 students at the TSU Higher IT School.