Minister for Higher Education, Science, and Technology Assures Study Programmes Will Be Developed Rather Than Closed

During a working meeting with Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Jakarta on Tuesday, the Minister for Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, ensured that his ministry will not close study programmes deemed irrelevant, but will instead develop them to meet contemporary demands. The Minister stated that the current government is prioritising the guidance and development of scientific substance to ensure it remains relevant to the modern era.

Minister Brian noted that study programmes are being encouraged to update their learning focus to be more attractive; for instance, mathematics is being transformed into actuarial science to become more applicable and more readily absorbed by the business world. Another example of this adaptation, he continued, can be seen in the adjustments made to electrical engineering programmes, where the curriculum is now increasingly developing specialisations in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics technology.

To ensure consistent curriculum updates, the Minister requested that working bodies or coordinating bodies within each study programme conduct routine evaluations every three to four years. These periodic evaluations aim to measure the proportion of fundamental scientific knowledge that must be maintained, as well as determining the extent to which learning materials should be directed towards more implementable fields.

Brian also explained that the mechanism for closing a study programme can only be executed if there is a direct proposal from the university concerned or as a sanction for serious violations. “I repeat, rather than closing them, we are developing study programmes to match industrial needs; not by closing programmes, but by developing and adjusting the substance being taught,” said Brian Yuliarto.