[UPDATE] Limited Discussion on Implementation of Independent Campus & Research Activities with the Minister of Education and Culture and Research and Technology

Jakarta – LSPR Communication & Business Institute, represented by Dr. Janette Maria Pinariya, M.M., as Vice Rector I participated in the Independent Campus Discussion and Research Activities with the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Mendikbud Ristek) RI Nadiem Anwar Makarim. The limited discussion was held through the Zoom application and was attended by Leaders of Western Region Private Universities (PTS), Friday (21/5). In 2020 the Ministry of Education and Technology has launched a policy of Merdeka Belajar to prepare superior human resources (HR) who can answer the challenges of their time and meet the needs of change in the future. One of the program policies is to give Indonesian students the right to carry out learning activities outside the campus for 2 semesters.

Through this discussion, Minister Nadiem explained four main topics consisting of challenges and obstacles in implementing the Merdeka Campus in private universities (PTS); Implementation assistance program prepared by the Ministry of Education and Technology in 2021; The flagship Independent Campus Program which will be held centrally in 2021; The development of the implementation of the Tridharma of higher education and superior research/innovation in PTS. As an effort made in preparing for activities outside the campus, the Ministry of Education and Research and Technology has prepared 4 national Flagship Programs which are open to all PTN / PTS students and get 20 credits. To encourage students’ interest in participating in superior programs, the government has prepared an LPDP scholarship or an Education Fund Management Institution under the Minister of Finance. The government has also provided the Merdeka Campus Competition Fund to encourage the differentiation of PT’s mission and the Matching Fund to accelerate the partnership of PT.

The solution for curriculum reform is strengthened by a Ministerial Decree as a policy reference for the recognition of 20 credits for all Independent Campus programs. Campus Merdeka (KM) facilitator lecturers are also allowed to become a consultant for KM curriculum planning at the study program level. For supervisors, academic activities guiding students during the Campus Merdeka program will receive Tri Dharma recognition as credit points and career advancement for lecturers. Four Independent Campus Excellence Programs that receive LPDP support in 2021 in the Odd Semester starting in August or September 2021 include Teaching Campus, Micro-Credentials or Internships and Certified Independent Studies, International Student Mobility, and Independent Student Exchange.

All Merdeka Campus programs are guaranteed 20 credits for participation for 1 semester and 40 credits for participation for 2 semesters. This is stated in Kepmendikbud No. 74 / P / 2021 concerning the Recognition of Learning Semester Credit Units for the Independent Campus Program. “The MBKM program is not to match/match with study programs, but to free / independent students from study programs. The curriculum for the Study Program is sufficient for 5 semesters for students who take MBKM. This means that if 20 credits in other study programs and 40 credits outside the campus are not following the study program’s science, that is allowed, “said Nadiem as Minister of Education and Culture, Research and Technology.

The Ministry of Education and Culture invites students to become agents of educational change by teaching in selected schools and hopes that each college will facilitate the recognition of the Merdeka Campus SKS by following the path given by the Ministry of Education and Culture.