Indonesian universities at the crossroads<\/p>\n
Two unrelated events, the brawls at a Jakarta university and
\nthe sacking of a well-known university lecturer in Salatiga, have
\nturned our attention to university life. Noted educator Mochtar
\nBuchori argues that the events are symptoms of a lack of robust
\nacademic culture at the universities in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The sacking of Dr. Arief Budiman of Satya Wacana
\nChristian University in the Central Java town of Salatiga and the
\nphysical clash between two groups of students at National
\nUniversity in Jakarta constitute two events whose implications
\nare very critical for the future of university life in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Much depends upon the way we solve these two problems. We will
\neither strengthen the academic culture within our universities,
\nor we will reduce our universities into institutions without real
\nacademic meaning.<\/p>\n
In my opinion, these two events stem essentially from one
\nfundamental problem: The lack of a robust academic culture in our
\nuniversities. For a long time now, the academic culture has
\neither been weakened, or has never really blossomed at our
\nuniversities. This situation has been a source of similar
\nproblems in the past. And if we fail to remedy it, similar
\nincidents will happen again in the future.<\/p>\n
Let us look more closely at each of these two events.<\/p>\n
I do not really know what the actual substance of the dispute
\nis that caused the \"short circuit\" at Satya Wacana University.
\nBut judging from the wide support which Arief Budiman has
\nreceived from both his colleagues and his students, I think that
\nhe represents the views, opinions and attitudes of a fairly large
\nsegment of the Satya Wacana family in this dispute. It is quite
\nunlikely that he is just fighting for personal gain in this case.<\/p>\n
The existence of a crevasse among segments of a university
\ncommunity, caused by either disagreement, or misunderstanding, is
\na common phenomenon. In a university with a firmly established
\nacademic culture, differing views are first recognized, and
\nsubsequently scrutinized and harnessed to become a source of
\nlearning dynamics. In such a place, no academic conflict is
\nsilenced by the use of executive, or managerial power. Such a
\npractice indicates only that the institution has not yet
\nsucceeded in establishing a solid academic base for its
\ninstitutional life.<\/p>\n
It should be noted here that the dishonorable discharge of a
\nmember of an academic staff is not an ordinary event. How many
\npersons have been discharged like Arief Budiman in the history of
\nuniversity life in Indonesia? It is, therefore, very deplorable
\nthat such an unusual event was likened to the firing of a driver.
\nThis view reflects a total incomprehension of the nature of
\nacademic life.<\/p>\n
Firing a senior member of the academic staff is in my opinion
\nindicative of an immature academic culture. In most universities
\nthis immaturity has been expressed through less dramatic events,
\nsuch as withholding a person's academic promotion, or blocking a
\nperson to receive a scholarship to pursue advanced study abroad.
\nSteps like this have been commonly employed to punish persons
\nconsidered too independent in their academic or political
\npronouncements.<\/p>\n
The second event, the physical clash at National University in
\nJakarta between students belonging to the Himpala nature lovers'
\ngroup on the one hand, and those belonging to the Menwa student
\nregiment group on the other, is also indicative of the absence of
\na strong academic culture. The Himpala group represents an
\nadventurers' culture. The Menwa group represents military
\nculture.<\/p>\n
It is the lack of a strong academic culture within the
\nuniversity, which in my opinion effectively averts the growth of
\na harmonious blending between the two cultures of masculinity and
\nphysical toughness. Instead, rivalry has developed quietly, and
\nit was only a matter of time before the two clashed.<\/p>\n
The question we have to answer is: How can we strengthen the
\nacademic culture within our universities?<\/p>\n
I don't think there is a general formula for answering this
\nquestion. Each university has to find its own path towards a more
\nmature academic culture, taking into consideration factors
\nregarding itself and factors relating to its various
\nenvironments.<\/p>\n
The way we take to solve these two problems will indicate the
\nextent to which we understand the meaning of academic culture,
\nand its role in empowering our universities to become meaningful
\ninstitutions.<\/p>\n
The writer is rector of the Muhammadiyah Teachers' Training
\nInstitute (IKIP), Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Protest -- Page 2<\/p>\n
Editorial -- Page 4<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesian-universities-at-the-crossroads-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }