{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1719175,
        "msgid": "involvement-of-tni-in-lpdp-feared-to-disrupt-critical-thinking-in-higher-education-1777974837",
        "date": "2026-05-05 15:54:36",
        "title": "Involvement of TNI in LPDP Feared to Disrupt Critical Thinking in Higher Education",
        "author": "Nawir Arsyad Akbar",
        "source": "KOMPAS",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "Education observer Indra Charismiadji has expressed concerns that the involvement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in the LPDP scholarship programme could undermine the critical thinking essential to academic life, potentially producing graduates who are obedient but lack independent thought. He argues that while instilling nationalism is valuable, it should not reduce to mere formal compliance, and highlights systemic issues like bureaucratic hurdles and limited research opportunities that already challenge LPDP alumni upon their return to Indonesia. LPDP officials, however, maintain that such military collaborations are longstanding and aimed at enhancing discipline and national awareness to prepare awardees for optimal studies.",
        "content": "<p>JAKARTA - Education observer Indra Charismiadji believes that the\ninvolvement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in the Lembaga\nPengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) programme has the potential to disrupt\ncriticality in the academic world.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, students are trained to question, test ideas, criticise\ntheories, and even challenge the status quo.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf this (TNI) approach becomes too dominant, we could produce\ngraduates who are obedient but lack criticality. Yet the global academic\nworld requires individuals capable of independent thinking,\u201d Indra said\nwhen contacted on Tuesday (5\/5\/2026).<\/p>\n<p>He stated that the state may instil nationalism, but nationalism\nshould not be reduced to formal compliance.<\/p>\n<p>Indra said the main issue with LPDP is not simply a lack of\nnationalism among the awardees.<\/p>\n<p>Many alumni do love Indonesia, but they face the reality that the\nnational ecosystem is not yet ready to absorb their expertise.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMany LPDP graduates study highly strategic fields such as artificial\nintelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy, public policy, global\nhealth, development economics, education, and digital technology. But\nupon returning, they face slow bureaucracy, a narrow research market,\nuniversities with limited research funding, and public institutions that\nare not fully merit-based,\u201d Indra said.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, he views the issue of TNI involvement as not simplifiable\ninto black-and-white positions or agree and disagree.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf the goal is to build discipline, integrity, mental resilience,\nand national awareness, there are certainly values from military\ntradition that can be learned. But if this approach becomes dominant and\nturns into uniformity of thought, it poses a risk,\u201d Indra said.<\/p>\n<p>Lukmanul emphasised that military involvement in this programme is\nnot new, but a continuation of previous strategic cooperation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRegarding the location of implementation, the Pre-Departure\nPreparation (PK) held at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base is not the first\ntime it has been done in cooperation with the TNI,\u201d Lukman said when\nconfirmed by Kompas.com on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>Thus, awardees can undertake their studies optimally and take\nresponsibility as recipients of state scholarships.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLPDP continuously organises PK as part of the initial training for\nscholarship recipients before commencing their studies,\u201d Lukman\nsaid.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/involvement-of-tni-in-lpdp-feared-to-disrupt-critical-thinking-in-higher-education-1777974837",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}