Academic forums need no permits: Education official<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Academic gatherings under the supervision of a
\nrector need no official permit but the participants should be
\ncarefully selected, a senior official said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Director General of Higher Education Bambang Soehendro said
\nthat participants of academic gatherings should be limited to
\npeople with relevant academic backgrounds so that there won't be
\nany misperception about the content.<\/p>\n
\"Academic discussions can be held inside or outside a campus,
\nfor which permits are not required,\" he said. He added however,
\nthat the rector and the student senate should make sure that the
\nspeakers and participants are well versed with the subject under
\ndiscussion.<\/p>\n
\"This (selection) is important to prevent misunderstanding of
\nthe scientific subject being discussed,\" he said.<\/p>\n
As for intelligence officers who often show up at gatherings,
\nSoehendro said they may come as long as they master the subject
\nunder discussion.<\/p>\n
Noted human rights campaigner Todung Mulya Lubis said Thursday
\nthat it is often university administrators themselves who request
\nthat permits be obtained when they want to hold a seminar.<\/p>\n
The government policy that requires an official permit for
\nevery gathering of more than five people came to light again
\nfollowing the increasing cases of banning intellectuals from
\naddressing seminars.<\/p>\n
Critics say that the permit policy is no longer relevant
\nbecause it derives from pre-independence times when colonial
\nadministrators tightly controlled the activities of the natives.<\/p>\n
Former home affairs minister Rudini pointed out Thursday that
\nthe permit policy as stated in the Criminal Code does apply to
\nacademic activities.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman
\nDjojonegoro has said that academic forums apply only in campuses
\nand should be closed to the public.<\/p>\n
The discussions are meant only for students and their
\nprofessors and should not be announced to the public, he said.<\/p>\n
Soehendro said that limited scientific discussion may not be
\npublished by the mass media in any case. Journalists taking part
\nin the discussions should also be those who excel at the subject.<\/p>\n
\"If the content of such a discussion is published, the readers
\nwho have little background knowledge on the subject will likely
\nmisinterpret the message,\" he said. (anr)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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