Responses from UI, Unpad, to UGM on the Proposal to Close Study Programmes
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology has proposed closing study programmes considered no longer relevant to industry. Secretary General of the Ministry, Badru Munir Sukoco, stated that the proposal to close programmes aims to reduce the gap between university graduates and the competencies required in the workforce. As a result, he said, field needs often do not match the educational background of bachelor’s degree holders. “There may be some that we need to execute in a not too long time regarding study programmes; we need to select them. If necessary, they should be closed to increase relevance,” Badru said in Badung Regency, Bali, on Thursday, 23 April 2026.
The Ministry noted that universities produce 1.9 million graduates each year. This number is considered to make it difficult for higher education graduates to find jobs.
Several universities claim they have not yet received information about the plan to close study programmes. However, they have responded to the Ministry’s proposal.
Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta
Vice Rector for Education and Student Affairs at UMY, Zuly Qodir, said his campus has no plans to close any programmes. “At this time, we choose to adjust the curriculum rather than closing study programmes directly,” Zuly said on Tuesday, 28 April 2026.
This curriculum adjustment approach, Zuly said, is considered more adaptive in facing changing needs of the times without eliminating certain fields of knowledge. “Curriculum strengthening is done by involving industry practitioners and enhancing students’ non-academic competencies to better prepare them for the workforce,” he said.
This approach is also seen as better able to bridge the gap between higher education and industry needs. “We adjust the curriculum to developments in the workforce and bring in practitioners so that students understand field needs,” he said.
UMY itself finds the proposal to close programmes odd as a way to address graduate imbalances. “The proposal to close study programmes certainly needs more detailed clarity, especially regarding which fields are considered irrelevant,” Zuly said.
Universitas Gadjah Mada
UGM Rector Ova Emilia said her campus routinely evaluates study programmes. Therefore, she is open to closing, opening, merging (programme mergers), or transforming programmes.
“Because we are indeed facing a world and challenges that are very dynamic,” Ova said in response to the plan to close programmes not relevant to industry needs via voice message on Monday, 27 April 2026.
She said educational institutions must align with the needs of the times. Educational institutions need to routinely conduct situational analyses. “What is needed, what kind of curriculum, what competencies are needed, or what levels are needed,” she said.
According to her, educational institutions play a role in providing students with skills. The goal is for graduates to face challenges independently.
In addition, future programmes need to collaborate with industry or places according to the sectors that employ graduates. Higher education policies must be made considering the user sectors.
“Whether industry or even educational institutions. So if what we see is like everyone doing it separately, thus if oversupply occurs, it might happen if it’s never discussed together,” she said.
Universitas Padjadjaran
Unpad claims it has not received information regarding the government’s plan to close study programmes deemed irrelevant to industry needs. Nevertheless, Unpad’s Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs, Zahrotur Rusyda Hinduan, emphasised that the decision to close a study programme is entirely the campus’s authority.
Moreover, she said, several state universities now have legal entity status (PTNBH) which grants academic autonomy. “We understand the Ministry’s intent that there may be programmes that are less relevant, but the authority to open or close programmes lies with the university, especially Unpad because as a PTNBH we already have autonomy,” said Rossie, as Zahrotur Rusyda Hinduan is known, when contacted on Saturday, 25 April 2026.
Rossie said Unpad does not want to take the extreme path of closing such programmes. Instead of closing the programmes, Unpad believes evaluation is better directed towards curriculum renewal and refreshing, so that study programmes can become relevant to job needs.
Universitas Udayana
Universitas Udayana Rector I Ketut Sudarsana stated the importance of periodic evaluations of study programmes on campus. The aim is to ensure that teaching implementation remains relevant to developments in science and societal needs.
However, he said, evaluations of higher education relevance should be done carefully and not hastily. He said evaluations or adjustments must be comprehensive and based on academic studies.
“The evaluation process certainly needs to be done carefully, comprehensively, and based on in-depth academic studies,” Ketut said on Saturday, 24 April 2026.
Universitas Indonesia
UI’s Director of Public Relations, Media, Government, and International Relations, Erwin Agustian Panigoro, said UI has not yet determined any steps regarding the plan to close programmes. UI also cannot yet determine which programmes are deemed irrelevant to industry and thus must be closed.
“Since there is no letter or official directive from the ministry regarding programme closures, for now UI has no discussions or plans regarding which study programmes will be considered for closure,” Erwin said when contacted on Saturday, 25 April 2026.