The Muhammadiyah and \u2018Aisyiyah Higher Education Rectors\u2019 Forum (PTMA)\nconducted a visit to Commission X of the Indonesian House of\nRepresentatives (DPR RI) at the DPR Secretariat General Complex in\nJakarta on Thursday (18\/6\/2026). The visit aimed to convey various\naspirations regarding higher education policies, particularly those\nimpacting private universities (PTS).<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new student admission policy is not yet proportional. A number\nof state universities are accepting students in very large numbers,\nwhich impacts the sustainability of private universities, including\nPTMA,\u201d the forum stated on Saturday (20\/6\/2026). It emphasised that many\nexcellent private universities possess quality on par with state\nuniversities and therefore need fairer treatment in national higher\neducation policy.<\/p>\n
The PTMA Rectors\u2019 Forum proposed the importance of developing a more\ndirected higher education architecture, regulating an ideal\nlecturer-to-student ratio, and the need for a written and firm policy\nregarding new student admissions.<\/p>\n
Responding to these aspirations, Commission X member Ir Haji La Tinro\nLa Tunrung expressed support for the views presented. He asserted that\nthe government needs to provide a more balanced space for private\nuniversities and ensure a fairer distribution of education assistance,\nincluding the KIP Kuliah scholarship programme. \u201cWe will endeavour to\nconvey all aspirations presented by the PTMA Rectors\u2019 Forum to the\nMinister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology,\u201d he said. He\nexplained that the government plans to equalise operational education\ncosts between state and private universities starting in 2027, a policy\nexpected to reduce the gap that has existed between the two types of\ninstitutions.<\/p>\n
The visit then continued to the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS)\nfaction in the DPR. The Chairman of the PKS Faction for the 2025-2029\nperiod, Dr H Abdul Kharis Almasyhari, M.Si, expressed support for\nefforts to strengthen higher education and acknowledged that the\nimbalance in student distribution between state and private universities\nis an issue requiring an immediate solution. \u201cMany private campuses are\nstruggling to get students because state universities are accepting\nstudents in very large numbers. This is our concern and we are seeking\nthe best solution,\u201d he stated. Abdul Kharis also voiced support for\nefforts to increase KIP Kuliah access for students at private\nuniversities.<\/p>\n
The series of activities concluded with a visit to the National\nResearch and Innovation Agency (BRIN). During the meeting, Ma\u2019mun Murod\nproposed strengthening research cooperation between BRIN and the\nUniversity of Muhammadiyah Jakarta (UMJ) as well as several other\nMuhammadiyah universities, while also introducing the Indonesian Center\nfor Health Evidence-Informed Policy (I-CHIP). I-CHIP is a\ntransdisciplinary study centre developed by UMJ focusing on\nstrengthening national health policy based on scientific evidence,\nsocial justice, and moral integrity. It focuses on the transformation of\nprimary healthcare services, equitable health financing, health\nresilience due to climate change, and strengthening national\npharmaceutical independence. The Head of BRIN, Prof Dr Arif Satria, SP,\nM.Si, welcomed the visit and expressed BRIN\u2019s readiness to support\nvarious research and innovation programmes developed by PTMA.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ptma-rectors-forum-conveys-higher-education-aspirations-to-parliament-1781931057", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }