MP Criticises Government's Plan to Close University Programmes
Chair of Commission X of the House of Representatives, Hetifah Sjaifudian, has criticised the government’s plan to close university programmes (prodi) considered irrelevant to industry needs. She has asked the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology to review this plan, emphasising caution, transparency, and a strong academic basis.
According to this Golkar Party politician, enhancing the relevance of higher education to industry needs is indeed important. However, the role of universities must not be reduced solely to supplying labour to the field.
“Every policy related to programmes must be based on comprehensive studies, not just responding to short-term trends. The function of universities is far broader, including the development of basic sciences, culture, and the nation’s critical capacity,” she stated in a written remark on Monday, 27 April 2026.
Instead of mass closures, she suggests an alternative approach, namely the transformation of departments. In this way, programmes deemed less relevant need to be revitalised through curriculum strengthening, interdisciplinary approaches, as well as linkages with regional potential and local cultural wealth.
In addition, Hetifah also warns that closing programmes with excessive efficiency goals could potentially narrow the ecosystem of knowledge and weaken the strategic role of universities as centres of civilisation.
Therefore, she encourages that programme evaluations be conducted periodically, transparently, and involving various stakeholders, including academics, industry, and professional associations.
“If adjustments must be made, they must be accompanied by a fair transition period, as well as full protection for students and lecturers,” she said.
Hetifah assures that Commission X of the DPR will ensure this policy runs in a measured, fair manner, and strengthens the competitiveness of human resources without sacrificing the future of scientific knowledge.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology plans to close various programmes deemed less relevant to the needs of future economic growth industries. This plan was conveyed by Secretary General of the Ministry, Badri Munir Sukoco, at the 2026 National Population Symposium in Badung Regency, Bali, on Thursday, 23 April 2026.
Badri said this plan will be executed in the near future. He then asked universities to have the willingness to select which programmes need to be closed.
“Later, there may be some that we have to execute in not too long a time related to the programmes; we need to select, sort, and if necessary close them to increase relevance,” said Badri Munir Sukoco, monitored from the YouTube replay of the Ministry of Population and Family Development.
Badri explained that this step is taken to reduce the gap between university graduates and the competencies needed in the workforce. The Ministry records that every year universities graduate up to 1.9 million bachelor’s degrees.
However, according to Badri, these graduates have difficulty finding jobs because the needs in the field do not match their educational background.