{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1972462,
        "msgid": "ministry-of-religious-affairs-urges-islamic-universities-to-open-study-programmes-based-on-community-needs-1789049393",
        "date": "2026-09-10 19:40:17",
        "title": "Ministry of Religious Affairs Urges Islamic Universities to Open Study Programmes Based on Community Needs",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs has advised Islamic religious higher education institutions to ensure new study programmes are aligned with labour market demands and societal needs. Director General of Islamic Education, Amien Suyitno, emphasised that programme expansion should be driven by data-driven necessity rather than following mere trends.",
        "content": "<p>Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Religious Affairs has requested\nthat Islamic religious higher education institutions (PTKI) do not\nmerely increase the number of study programmes, but ensure that every\ndeveloped programme is truly relevant to the needs of society, the\nworkforce, and changing times.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe must not open study programmes simply because they are trending,\nwhile failing to properly calculate the real needs of the community and\nthe professional world,\u201d stated the Director General of Islamic\nEducation at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Amien Suyitno, in a\nstatement in Jakarta on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>According to him, universities need to view educational development\nthrough a more diverse lens, including academic, professional, and\nvocational pathways. Not every higher education institution is required\nto offer the same study programmes.<\/p>\n<p>Suyitno likened universities to restaurants that require a diverse\nmenu to satisfy their customers. Similarly, in higher education, the\nchoice of scientific disciplines must be adjusted to societal needs and\nthe specific strengths of each institution.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen a university proposes a new study programme, the question is\nnot merely whether the programme can be opened. Rather, it is for what\npurpose it is being opened, who needs it, what the prospects for its\ngraduates are, and what its contribution to society will be,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n<p>He emphasised the importance of using data in every higher education\npolicy decision. Data regarding labour market needs, demographic\ndevelopments, technological changes, and regional requirements must\nserve as the foundation for determining the direction of university\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, increasing access to higher education must go hand\nin hand with improving quality.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen we talk about access, we must simultaneously talk about\nquality,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>According to Suyitno, this quality encompasses the standard of\nlecturers, infrastructure, research, publications, governance, and the\nquality of graduates. PTKI also possesses significant opportunities to\nstrengthen the social sciences, humanities, and religious studies, while\nsimultaneously developing strategic fields such as science, technology,\nhealth, and informatics.<\/p>\n<p>Suyitno also reminded universities not to be caught off guard by\ntechnological changes. Digital transformation must be utilised to\nstrengthen education, research, and academic services, rather than\nmerely following trends.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDo not be afraid to change and do not be afraid to innovate.\nHowever, every change must be data-driven, need-driven, and must\nmaintain quality,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ministry-of-religious-affairs-urges-islamic-universities-to-open-study-programmes-based-on-community-needs-1789049393",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}