{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1705160,
        "msgid": "ministry-of-higher-education-explains-discourse-on-closing-study-programmes-1777351910",
        "date": "2026-04-28 10:51:04",
        "title": "Ministry of Higher Education Explains Discourse on Closing Study Programmes",
        "author": "",
        "source": "TEMPO_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology has clarified that the proposed closure of university study programmes deemed irrelevant to industry needs is part of a broader transformation in higher education aimed at enhancing quality, relevance, and national development contributions. Acting Secretary General Badri Munir Sukoco emphasised that closures would follow thorough evaluations considering factors like teaching quality, lecturer capacity, academic sustainability, and national strategic needs, with transformation measures such as curriculum strengthening and interdisciplinary programmes prioritised before any shutdowns. This initiative addresses surpluses in graduates, such as in teacher education where 490,000 are produced annually against a need for only 20,000, amid criticisms from a recent symposium.",
        "content": "<p>The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology states that\nthe discourse on closing university study programmes (prodi) considered\nirrelevant to industry needs is part of the transformation of higher\neducation. The aim is claimed to improve quality, relevance, and the\ncontribution of higher education institutions to national\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n<p>Acting Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education,\nScience, and Technology, Badri Munir Sukoco, explained that before\nclosure, study programmes will first be evaluated. This evaluation will\nnot only consider aspects of interest or job absorption but also\nteaching quality, lecturer capacity, academic sustainability, scientific\ncontributions, national strategic needs, and regional development\nequity.<\/p>\n<p>Badri stated that the closure of prodi is not the primary option.\n\u201cClosure is only the last resort if a study programme, based on a\ncomprehensive evaluation, no longer meets quality standards, lacks\nadequate academic sustainability, and cannot be developed further\nthrough guidance or transformation measures,\u201d said Badri when contacted\non Monday, 27 April 2026.<\/p>\n<p>In its implementation, Badri added, the Ministry of Higher Education,\nScience, and Technology will first encourage the transformation of study\nprogrammes. This transformation includes strengthening competency-based\ncurricula, project-based learning, developing interdisciplinary\nprogrammes, major-minor schemes, enhancing research collaborations, and\naligning graduate competencies with future needs.<\/p>\n<p>Badri stated that basic sciences, social sciences, humanities,\neducation, and non-applied fields will continue to hold important\npositions in the national talent architecture. \u201cThe government does not\nview higher education narrowly as a workforce provider, but as a centre\nfor developing knowledge, innovation, culture, leadership, and solutions\nfor society,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Previously, the plan to close prodi was conveyed by Badri at the 2026\nNational Population Symposium in Badung Regency, Bali, on Thursday, 23\nApril 2026, drawing much criticism. At that time, Badri said this step\nwas taken to reduce the gap between higher education graduates and the\ncompetencies needed in the workforce.<\/p>\n<p>Badri also mentioned the surplus of graduates in certain study\nprogrammes as a reason for the government to reorganise prodi. One\nexample is the teaching or education major, which produces 490,000\nteaching graduates each year, while the need for prospective teachers is\nonly 20,000 people.<\/p>\n<p>Badri urged higher education institutions to willingly select which\nprodi need to be closed. \u201cLater, there may be some that we have to\nexecute in a not too long time regarding prodi; we need to select, sort,\nand if necessary, close them to increase relevance,\u201d said Badri.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ministry-of-higher-education-explains-discourse-on-closing-study-programmes-1777351910",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}