More private universities prepare doctorate programs<\/p>\n
By I. Christianto<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Major private universities are competing to run
\npostgraduate programs as the demand rises.<\/p>\n
At least four private universities have recently been licensed
\nto hold doctorate programs, which are locally called Strata Tiga
\n(S3). The step is a milestone in the country's educational
\nhistory. As recently as last year, people who want to pursue a
\ndoctorate degree must enroll at state-owned universities.<\/p>\n
Starting this year, people wanting to take doctorate programs
\ncan consider four private universities: Parahyangan Catholic
\nUniversity (Unpar) in Bandung, the University of Gunadarma, the
\nUniversity of Borobudur and the University of Persada Indonesia
\n(YAI) in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Unpar is the first private university to have opened
\npostgraduate programs in four fields of study: civil engineering,
\nlaw, architecture and economy. Gunadarma, Borobudur and YAI offer
\none field, which is economics. Gunadarma was founded in 1981 as a
\nscience and computer academy before it became a university.<\/p>\n
Muherman Aslan, head of the licensing office of the Ministry
\nof Education, said private universities originally proposed to
\nhold doctorate programs a long time ago.<\/p>\n
\"The requirements are tough. They must have a board of
\nrelevant scholars,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said in addition to the four private universities, the
\ngovernment was examining several other educational institutions,
\nincluding the University of Trisakti in Jakarta and Indonesian
\nIslamic University (UII) in Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
Based on decree No. 212\/U\/1999 from the Ministry of Education,
\nany educational institution proposing to hold doctorate programs
\nare required to have an \"A\" grade for its bachelor programs as
\naccredited by the National Accreditation Body for Universities
\n(BAN PT). It also has to have a postgraduate program in the same
\nor similar field of study with the proposed doctorate program.<\/p>\n
The university should have records of research in the same or
\nrelated field of study with the proposed doctorate program. It
\nshould have an adequate number of qualified scholars to partake
\nin the doctorate program, which includes tutorials and research.<\/p>\n
\"There must be at least two permanent senior scholars with the
\nsame education or background of the proposed doctorate program.
\nThere has to be four doctors with the same field of study,\" said
\nMuherman.<\/p>\n
He also said the conditions were tough.<\/p>\n
\"A university wanting to open a doctorate program should
\nsubmit correct and complete data, particularly in terms of the
\nscholars they have. So say there is a proposal from a university,
\nbut it has only one senior professor -- we can't extend a license
\nthen,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said more people were now aware of the need for higher
\neducation; therefore, more private universities were proposing to
\noffer doctorate programs.<\/p>\n
There are 1,558 private higher learning institutes in
\nIndonesia, including 283 universities, 42 institutes and 717
\ntechnical colleges.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has 50 state universities, four state institutes and
\nfour state technical colleges. There are also dozens of private
\npolytechnics and hundreds of academies.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, only schools under the category of university,
\ninstitute and sekolah tinggi can hold bachelor (Strata satu or
\nS1) and postgraduate programs (Strata dua or S2 and S3).<\/p>\n
Raising interest<\/p>\n
Hamdy Hady, head of the postgraduate program of YAI, agreed
\nthat more people were now interested in undertaking a higher
\neducation.<\/p>\n
He said it was largely misunderstood that a doctorate degree
\nis a ticket to success.<\/p>\n
\"Many professionals -- who have undertaken S2 programs --
\nalso want to enroll for doctorate programs. They think that a
\ndoctorate degree can support their career in (commercial)
\nbusinesses,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Sure, anyone can enroll, but doctorate degrees are for
\nscholars. This is the highest academic degree. It's aimed in
\ndeveloping science and research.\"<\/p>\n
Hady said YAI's only doctorate program is accountancy.<\/p>\n
\"We also plan to open another program focusing on general
\neconomy in the near future,\" he said.<\/p>\n
To enroll at YAI's S3 program, a candidate is required to have
\na grade point average of at least 3.0 and a Test of English as a
\nForeign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 500.<\/p>\n
\"There's no limit for age. A background in education is not as
\nimportant as there'll be matriculation,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The tuition fee at YAI is about Rp 10 million per semester,
\nwhile the S3 is normally completed in at least four semesters.<\/p>\n
At Unpar, interested candidates also have to have a good
\nacademic record as well as fluency in English. Founded in 1955,
\nUnpar has graduated over 20,000 students.<\/p>\n
\"We require a good TOEFL score, basically to support the
\nresearch. But actually, the tutorial, seminar and dissertation
\nwill be in Indonesian,\" said Hasan Mustafa, head of the
\npostgraduate program of Unpar.<\/p>\n
He said Unpar did not set any target for the doctorate
\napplicants.<\/p>\n
\"We'll hold the program even with only one single participant,
\nbecause this is about quality not quantity,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Tuition fee at Unpar is based on credit, ranging between Rp
\n400,000 and Rp 600,000. To complete a doctorate program, a
\nparticipant must achieve 42 credits, including a 32-credit
\ndissertation.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-private-universities-prepare-doctorate-programs-1447893297",
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