Rector's Forum Supports Government's Plan to Close Irrelevant Study Programmes
The Indonesian Rectors’ Forum (FRI) has signalled support for the government’s proposal to close study programmes (prodi) at higher education institutions that are no longer deemed relevant to domestic industry needs.
FRI Chairman Garuda Wiko urged universities to remain relevant amid rapid and dynamic changes. According to him, campuses must produce graduates with knowledge and skills for the future.
“I think this is our collective obligation to evaluate and insert new elements that are indeed needed to face new challenges,” Garuda said when contacted on Tuesday (28/4).
According to him, emerging new challenges cannot be addressed with old methods. Therefore, higher education institutions must adapt and prepare their graduates accordingly.
This means, Garuda said, that study programmes at universities must be revitalised to create new knowledge and capabilities.
“The existence of study programmes and so on must be revitalised. There are always efforts for renewal and such, I think,” said the Rector of Tanjung Pura University.
The Rectors’ Forum, Garuda continued, has not yet submitted an official stance to the government through the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) regarding the proposal to close irrelevant study programmes. However, they continue discussions to ensure campuses can adapt.
He acknowledged that non-applied science programmes are still far more popular among prospective students. Therefore, Garuda said, a formulation is needed to balance the proportions in the future.
“Yes, we must indeed promote a balance in the number of applied and non-applied programmes,” Garuda stated.
Nevertheless, Garuda understands concerns that universities are not solely for producing workers. However, he believes the need for human resources to address industry challenges is far more pressing.
“To develop knowledge, to develop various aspects to answer the needs or challenges occurring in society. I think that’s it,” he said.
The proposal to close study programmes irrelevant to the workforce is based on the high number of graduates from such programmes who are not absorbed into the job market.
However, Acting Secretary General of Kemendiktisaintek Badri Munir Sukonco stated that closing a programme is only the last option if a study programme no longer meets quality standards, lacks adequate academic sustainability, and cannot be further developed.
“Kemdiktisaintek emphasises that closing 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 developed further through guidance or transformation measures,” Badri said in a written statement on Tuesday (28/4).