Ministry Assures No Plans to Close Any Study Programmes
Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto has emphasised that there are no plans to close any study programmes, including those assessed as no longer relevant to the job market. Brian stated that the ministry will instead transform or enhance these programmes to better suit future needs.
“Instead of closing programmes, what we are promoting is working together with universities to ensure these programmes are regularly updated for relevance between what is taught and developments in science and technology,” Brian said when met at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology office in Jakarta on Wednesday, 29 April 2026.
According to Brian, today’s technological developments cause the nature of disciplines to change over time. He exemplified that electrical engineering programmes in the past did not include Internet of Things (IoT) technology, whereas it has now become an essential part in the field.
He said that such advancements in science and technology also give rise to new industries that should serve as references for universities in delivering education. In the international arena, Brian noted, the review and improvement of study programmes or continuous improvement is something routinely done periodically.
“That’s why we are promoting this, and the whole world does it—study programmes undergo continuous improvement every four years or even every two years, depending on the case,” Brian said.
Previously, plans to close several programmes deemed difficult to absorb by industry became a topic of discussion after they were mentioned by Acting Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Badri Munir Sukoco at the 2026 National Population Symposium in Badung Regency, Bali, on Thursday, 23 April 2026. Badri at the time said this step was taken to reduce the gap between university graduates and the competencies needed in the workforce.
On the other hand, Director of Institutions at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Muhammad Najib said the government will indeed not close ongoing programmes. However, the ministry has implemented controls through a moratorium or temporary halt on opening new programmes in the social sciences and humanities fields.
This policy is pursued to align higher education directions with national development needs. “We are indeed implementing controls with a moratorium. So we are not opening new programmes in social sciences and humanities. But existing programmes are not being closed,” he said when contacted on Tuesday, 28 April 2026.