Minister Warns Lecturers: Guide Students, Don't Take Over Community Work
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Mendiktisaintek), Brian Yuliarto, has cautioned lecturers to position themselves as facilitators and not take over students’ share of the work when they go out into the community.
He made the statement whilst giving directions at the launch of the Impactful Students Programme: Student Literacy Programme 2026, held in Jakarta on Monday.
“Lecturers must not take over the students’ role; rather, they should be present as academic supervisors, safeguarding quality, linking research outputs with community needs, and of course serving as examples of integrity,” he said.
Brian explained that the essence of this community empowerment programme is to place students as the primary actors of change, whilst universities provide institutional support.
He further instructed university leadership to ensure that students’ hard work in target villages is recognised and converted into Semester Credit Units (SKS).
“Make sure there are SKS credits available for students to earn. Outstanding universities are known not only for their academic reputation; their excellence is also visible in the change they bring to society,” he said.
The minister also stressed that the Impactful Students Programme must not be viewed merely as an inter-campus competition for ministry funding.
The programme, he said, should be understood as a space for students to develop themselves — training social sensitivity, courage in decision-making, and a sense of responsibility.
Enthusiasm within the campus ecosystem for this initiative has proven remarkably high. Brian noted that during the 2025 Community Empowerment Programme by the Student Executive Board (PMBEM), the ministry received 957 proposal submissions, of which 263 were funded with a total budget of Rp30.1 billion.
Building on that success, Brian expressed high hopes that this year’s collaboration between students and lecturers can foster self-reliance and a sustainable spirit of mutual cooperation within communities.
“Student leadership does not begin after graduation; leadership begins when students dare to show up, listen, and take on real responsibility for the communities around them,” said Brian Yuliarto.