Unpad: Decision to Close Study Programmes is the University's Prerogative

Universitas Padjadjaran claims it has not yet received information regarding the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology’s plan to close study programmes deemed irrelevant to industry needs. Nevertheless, Unpad’s Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, Zahrotur Rusyda Hinduan, emphasised that the decision to close a study programme is entirely the university’s prerogative, especially for public universities with legal entity status (PTNBH) that possess academic autonomy.

“We understand the Ministry’s intent that there may be some programmes that are less relevant, but the authority to open or close programmes lies with the university, particularly Unpad as a PTNBH with autonomy,” said Rossie, as Zahrotur Rusyda Hinduan is known, when contacted on Saturday, 25 April 2026.

Rossie stated that Unpad does not wish to take the extreme step of closing such programmes. Instead of closing them, Unpad believes evaluation should be directed towards curriculum renewal and refreshing, so that study programmes can remain relevant to employment needs.

Rossie explained that Unpad is currently conducting a comprehensive evaluation of its study programmes. This evaluation is carried out by the Academic Senate together with the Quality Assurance Unit and the Academic Directorate. The aim is to ensure the curriculum remains aligned with developments in science and industry needs.

She assessed that the evaluation results do not necessarily have to lead to the closure of study programmes. There are several alternatives that can be pursued, such as updating teaching materials, adding multidisciplinary approaches, or merging programmes with related fields.

“The recommendations are not just closure. A programme could be updated to make it more relevant, or merged with another related programme,” she said.

At Unpad, Rossie noted, the evaluation of study programmes is conducted periodically every five years. In this process, the university involves employers of graduates, alumni, and students to assess the relevance of the competencies taught to workplace needs.

Input from industry, she added, usually relates to adding new skills, such as information technology capabilities in various fields. Such updates are considered more effective than directly closing programmes.

“What we emphasise is not just specific competencies, but adaptive abilities. Graduates must be able to learn new things and solve problems in the workplace,” said Rossie.

On the other hand, Rossie explained that according to regulations, a study programme cannot be stopped or closed abruptly. The university, she said, must wait until the last cohort of students graduates. For undergraduate programmes, this waiting period can take up to seven years or 14 semesters.

“It cannot be closed just like that. We must wait for students to finish until they graduate. In addition, there is a tiered evaluation process from the faculty senate, academic senate, to the quality assurance unit,” she stated.

Previously, the plan to close study programmes deemed irrelevant to the workforce was announced by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, Badri Munir Sukoco, at the 2026 National Population Symposium in Badung Regency, Bali, on Thursday, 23 April 2026.

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 universities graduate up to 1.9 million bachelor’s degree holders each year. However, Badri said, these graduates struggle to find jobs because the needs in the field do not match their educational backgrounds.

Badri stated that this plan will be executed in the near future. He then urged universities to willingly select which programmes need to be closed.

“Later, there may be some that we have to execute in not too long a time regarding programmes; we need to select, sort, and if necessary, close them to improve relevance,” said Badri Munir Sukoco, as monitored from the YouTube replay of the Ministry of Population and Family Development.