Government Encourages Private Universities to Launch New Programmes to Enhance Competitiveness

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) is encouraging private universities (PTS) to open new study programmes relevant to industry needs. This suggestion from the ministry aims to enable PTS to compete with public universities (PTN) in attracting students.

Director General of Higher Education at Kemendiktisaintek, Muhammad Najib, stated that competition between PTS and PTN cannot rely solely on student admission quotas but must also involve innovation in educational programmes. “PTS must offer attractive programmes relevant to the job market needs, making them appealing to prospective students,” said Najib at the Kemendiktisaintek office in South Jakarta on Monday, 13 April 2026.

According to him, current trends show increasing interest in technology-based programmes such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data science. Additionally, programmes designed specifically to meet industry requirements are seen to have significant potential.

Najib assessed that one key factor considered by prospective students is job assurance after graduation. Therefore, he encouraged universities to forge partnerships with industry to ensure graduates are absorbed into the workforce. “If there is a guarantee of employment after graduation without unemployment, it will be very attractive to students and parents,” he said.

He cited the success of Universitas Pamulang, which manages to recruit tens of thousands of students each year, even surpassing several PTN. This demonstrates that PTS have great potential to compete if they can offer the right strategies.

In addition to programme innovation, Kemendiktisaintek is adjusting policies to provide more room for PTS. One such measure is limiting increases in student quotas at PTN and regulating new student admission schedules to give PTS more time for recruitment.

Nevertheless, Najib emphasised that improving quality remains the primary key. “Not only quality, but also relevance. Universities must be able to read the needs of the times and the job market,” he said.