Sham academic titles

Sham academic titles

From Gatra magazine

Gatra magazine published on Jan. 1, 2000 a statement by the rector of Diponegoro University, Semarang, on the practice of conferring academic titles. Currently "instant" education institutes tempting the community with prestigious academic titles are burgeoning. A number of famous people have also taken crash education programs to capture a magnificent title.

The Ministry of Education has asked that such institutes be closed. Its argument is that foreign titles cannot be given by education institutes in this country while foreign education institutes are not allowed to open branches here. However, the organizers of the education institutes continue their activities as usual. They say they do not violate regulations. They have even reciprocated by "attacking" the ministry.

"Why must noble objectives be prohibited?" they asked. They claim that their institutes have participated in making a success of the objectives of national education: raising the intellectual level of the people. The media have quoted the views of the institutes' students, who say they would object to their "campuses" being closed down. They say the courses are useful and improve their professionalism.

The case has been filed with the police, but they only smile. "We have not received any complaints from people who have suffered a loss," said a source in the police station as quoted by the media. Apparently these education institutes do not cause any losses to the community. They must be useful somehow. After all, which education institute teaches bad things?

The students must have calculated the costs in comparison with the magnitude of the title they will receive. With a splendid academic title, they will advance their career smoothly. Who is the injured party? Time is needed to reply to the question. Some day we will realize that the capabilities of a titled person are not always as expected.

If there is already doubt, the scapegoat will be our education system. What will happen if the community does not trust academic titles any longer? There are many people who gained their titles with painful effort, but finally, academic titles will not be important anymore.

Perhaps it is a matter of making a choice.

ENDANG M. SUKMANA

Bekasi, West Java