Parliament Criticises Ministry of Higher Education's Logic on Proposal to Close Irrelevant Study Programmes
Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the House of Representatives, Lalu Hadrian, has hit back at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) over the proposal to close study programmes at universities.
One of the reasons given by Kemendiktisaintek is that there are study programmes considered irrelevant to industry needs. However, according to Lalu, this reasoning is unfounded.
He instead suspects that the government has not yet been able to create its industrial ecosystem. In fact, Lalu said, the programmes in question might be needed abroad.
“It could be that a certain study programme is still relevant to industries abroad, but the industry has not yet developed in Indonesia. In such conditions, it is not the programme that is irrelevant, but rather we who have not been able to create the industrial ecosystem,” Lalu said when contacted on Tuesday (28/7).
The PKB politician reminded the government not to act rashly. According to him, the closure of study programmes must be based on comprehensive studies and involve stakeholders.
On the other hand, Lalu believes that current industrial growth is rapid and dynamic. In his view, the government cannot predict the types of industries that will develop in the future.
“Industrial growth is very dynamic. The government itself may not be able to predict what industries will emerge in the future,” he explained.
He asked the government not to focus only on adjusting education to industry, but also to play an active role in encouraging the birth of new domestic industries.
“A truly in-depth study is needed so that the policies taken do not harm the future of education and long-term needs,” he said.
The proposal to close study programmes that are irrelevant to the world of work is based on the high number of graduates from programmes that are not absorbed into the workforce.
Acting Secretary General of Kemendiktisaintek, Badri Munir Sukonco, said the government will carry out a readjustment regarding study programmes at universities so that graduates are maximally absorbed. In addition, programmes that are not relevant may be closed.
“There is willingness or perhaps there are some things that we will execute not too long regarding study programmes; we will select or sort the programmes, or if necessary close them to increase this relevance, and actually what study programmes are needed in the future, that is what we will compile together,” Badri said, quoted from a rebroadcast on the Ministry of Population and Family Planning/BKKBN YouTube, Monday (27/4).
Badri also clarified that the closure of study programmes is only the last option if a programme no longer meets quality standards, lacks adequate academic sustainability, and can no longer be developed.
“Kemdiktisaintek emphasises that the closure of study programmes is not the primary choice. Closure is only the last option if, based on a comprehensive evaluation, a study programme no longer meets quality standards, lacks adequate academic sustainability, and cannot be further developed through coaching or transformation measures,” Badri said in a written statement on Tuesday (28/4).
Badri stated that the arrangement of study programmes at universities is carried out in a measured, comprehensive manner and based on thorough studies.
He explained that the arrangement of study programmes is not intended to make universities subservient solely to industrial interests.
“Higher education still has a major mandate in developing knowledge, shaping character, strengthening critical thinking, and building the foundation of the nation’s civilisation,” he said.