Involvement of TNI in LPDP Feared to Disrupt Critical Thinking in Higher Education

JAKARTA - Education observer Indra Charismiadji believes that the involvement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in the Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) programme has the potential to disrupt criticality in the academic world.

In fact, students are trained to question, test ideas, criticise theories, and even challenge the status quo.

“If this (TNI) approach becomes too dominant, we could produce graduates who are obedient but lack criticality. Yet the global academic world requires individuals capable of independent thinking,” Indra said when contacted on Tuesday (5/5/2026).

He stated that the state may instil nationalism, but nationalism should not be reduced to formal compliance.

Indra said the main issue with LPDP is not simply a lack of nationalism among the awardees.

Many alumni do love Indonesia, but they face the reality that the national ecosystem is not yet ready to absorb their expertise.

“Many LPDP graduates study highly strategic fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy, public policy, global health, development economics, education, and digital technology. But upon returning, they face slow bureaucracy, a narrow research market, universities with limited research funding, and public institutions that are not fully merit-based,” Indra said.

Therefore, he views the issue of TNI involvement as not simplifiable into black-and-white positions or agree and disagree.

“If the goal is to build discipline, integrity, mental resilience, and national awareness, there are certainly values from military tradition that can be learned. But if this approach becomes dominant and turns into uniformity of thought, it poses a risk,” Indra said.

Lukmanul emphasised that military involvement in this programme is not new, but a continuation of previous strategic cooperation.

“Regarding the location of implementation, the Pre-Departure Preparation (PK) held at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base is not the first time it has been done in cooperation with the TNI,” Lukman said when confirmed by Kompas.com on Monday.

Thus, awardees can undertake their studies optimally and take responsibility as recipients of state scholarships.

“LPDP continuously organises PK as part of the initial training for scholarship recipients before commencing their studies,” Lukman said.