Sham academic titles<\/p>\n
From Gatra magazine<\/p>\n
Gatra magazine published on Jan. 1, 2000 a statement by the
\nrector of Diponegoro University, Semarang, on the practice of
\nconferring academic titles. Currently \"instant\" education
\ninstitutes tempting the community with prestigious academic
\ntitles are burgeoning. A number of famous people have also taken
\ncrash education programs to capture a magnificent title.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Education has asked that such institutes be
\nclosed. Its argument is that foreign titles cannot be given by
\neducation institutes in this country while foreign education
\ninstitutes are not allowed to open branches here. However, the
\norganizers of the education institutes continue their activities
\nas usual. They say they do not violate regulations. They have
\neven reciprocated by \"attacking\" the ministry.<\/p>\n
\"Why must noble objectives be prohibited?\" they asked. They
\nclaim that their institutes have participated in making a success
\nof the objectives of national education: raising the intellectual
\nlevel of the people. The media have quoted the views of the
\ninstitutes' students, who say they would object to their
\n\"campuses\" being closed down. They say the courses are useful and
\nimprove their professionalism.<\/p>\n
The case has been filed with the police, but they only smile.
\n\"We have not received any complaints from people who have
\nsuffered a loss,\" said a source in the police station as quoted
\nby the media. Apparently these education institutes do not cause
\nany losses to the community. They must be useful somehow. After
\nall, which education institute teaches bad things?<\/p>\n
The students must have calculated the costs in comparison with
\nthe magnitude of the title they will receive. With a splendid
\nacademic title, they will advance their career smoothly. Who is
\nthe injured party? Time is needed to reply to the question. Some
\nday we will realize that the capabilities of a titled person are
\nnot always as expected.<\/p>\n
If there is already doubt, the scapegoat will be our education
\nsystem. What will happen if the community does not trust academic
\ntitles any longer? There are many people who gained their titles
\nwith painful effort, but finally, academic titles will not be
\nimportant anymore.<\/p>\n
Perhaps it is a matter of making a choice.<\/p>\n
ENDANG M. SUKMANA<\/p>\n
Bekasi, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sham-academic-titles-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }