Engineering Study Programmes Renamed 'Rekayasa' in Move to Strengthen Education
Jakarta, VIVA – Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Lalu Hadrian Irfani, has stated that the government’s decision to change the nomenclature of engineering study programmes to ‘Rekayasa’ is a positive step towards strengthening the higher education system.
Lalu Hadrian Irfani said that the use of the term ‘Rekayasa’ is more relevant and in line with the terms used internationally in the global academic world.
“The change in nomenclature from ‘teknik’ to ‘rekayasa’ is a good step to align the terms we use with international terminology, namely engineering,” Lalu said in a statement on Friday, 15 May 2026.
The legislator, who oversees education matters, believes that this change in nomenclature is important so that Indonesian graduates can more easily adapt and have competitiveness at the global level.
However, he emphasised that this policy should not be mandatory. Higher education institutions should still be given space and freedom to adjust its implementation to the conditions, characteristics, and readiness of each institution.
He hopes that with this change, research and innovation in Indonesia will continue to develop.
“The most important thing is not just the change of name, but how universities continue to improve the quality of engineering or ‘Rekayasa’ education so that they can produce innovations that are beneficial to society and national development,” he said.
In addition, he encouraged the government not to stop at the change in nomenclature, but also to provide real support for various research results, innovations, and works produced by universities.
“The government must be present to support the development of research, innovation, and the works of the nation’s children. In this way, engineering or ‘Rekayasa’ education will truly become a driving force for the progress of industry, technology, and national independence,” he said.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) changed the nomenclature of the ‘teknik’ study programme to ‘Rekayasa’, based on the Decree of the Director General of Higher Education Number 96/B/KPT/2025, which was established on 9 September 2025.
In its official statement on Friday, Kemendiktisaintek explained that the use of the term ‘Rekayasa’ refers to the official equivalent of engineering in Indonesian, as stated in the Great Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI).
“In the KBBI, ‘Rekayasa’ is defined as the application of scientific principles in the design, construction, and operation of systems, technologies, or structures effectively and efficiently,” the statement said.