Welcoming “Kampus Merdeka” for Higher Education in Indonesia

Welcoming “Kampus Merdeka” for Higher Education in Indonesia. Telkom University in collaboration with Islamic University of Indonesia organized Kampus Merdeka webinar series: “Welcoming Kampus Merdeka for Higher Education in Indonesia” on August 19^th, 2020 by inviting several experts, including:

1. Prof. Ir. Nizam, M.Sc., DIC., Ph.D., Director General of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia.
2. Dr. Ir. Hetifah Sjaifudian, Deputy Chairman of Commission X of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia.
3. Prof. Dr. Adiwijaya, Rector of Telkom University.
4. Dr. Dadan Rahadian, S.T., M.M., Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Telkom University.
5. Prof. Fathul Wahid, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., Rector of Islamic University of Indonesia.
6. Dr. Imam Djati Widodo, M.Eng.Sc., Vice Rector for Academic Development & Research, Islamic University of Indonesia.

Kampus Merdeka is a new concept of independent learning in higher education which was released by the Minister of Education and Culture, Nadiem Makarim. The essential from the Kampus Merdeka concept is giving freedom and autonomy to educational institutions and freedom from bureaucracy, lecturers are free from complicated bureaucracy and students are given the freedom to choose their preferred fields. Dr. Ir. Hetifah Sjaifudian, in this occasion, reiterated the 4 policies of Kampus Merdeka, namely:

1. The re-accreditation program is automatic and voluntary for universities and study programs that are ready to move up the rankings.
2. Give students the right to take courses outside the Study Program and make changes to the definition of credit unit.
3. Autonomy of State Universities and Private Universities to open or establish new Prodi.
4. Freedom for State Universities-Public Service Agency and Work Units to become State Universities-Legal Entities.

With the existence of those policies, both Telkom University and the Islamic University of Indonesia have made various preparations in implementing Kampus Merdeka, including preparing curriculum flexibility, collaboration in conducting lectures, blended learning program, past learning recognition and credit transfer information system. Telkom University and the Islamic University of Indonesia also have mapped study concept from 1st sem^ester until the last semester.

According to Prof. Nizam, this industry revolution 4.0 is more comprehensive and includes all aspects of our lives, including education. Therefore, Prof Nizam in line with Dr. Hetifah that by 2030, the current 23 million jobs will be replaced by automation. The Indonesian economy in 2030 is predicted to be the 7th largest in the world. It is necessary to have qualified human resources to meet the needs of the workforce. Problem-solving, cognitive, and social skills will become increasingly important, while the need for physical skills will decrease. Therefore, government encourages educational institution to re-evaluate the competence and vision of education so that there is no broken link between research & education and the work field.

In order to support the Kampus Merdeka program, the government, industries and universities can work together to collaborate to organize various programs, such as internship programs, village building programs, Indonesian student exchange programs (Permata), volunteer teaching programs, health student volunteer programs, and so on. Of course, the funding allocation for the program can be budgeted together and collaborate with various parties, including a collaboration with the LPDP. As the saying goes, if you want to go fast, walk alone, but if you want to go far, then walk together. Let’s collaborate to implement the Kampus Merdeka to create excellent graduates who can compete in the 4.0 era.(IO)***