Merdeka Belajar – Kampus Merdeka is one of the policies of the Minister of Education and Culture, Nadiem Makariem to become independent learning and independent campus in three semester study rights outside the study Program. This program is the mandate of various regulations/legal foundations for higher education in order to improve the quality of learning and higher education graduates. In order to prepare students to face social  changes, culture, the world of work and rapid  technological advances, student competencies  must be prepared to be more relevant to the  needs of the times. Link and match not only  with the world of industry and the world of work  but also with a rapidly changing future. Higher  education institutions are required to be able  to design and implement innovative learning processes so that students can achieve learning outcomes including aspects of attitude, knowledge, and skills optimally and always relevant. 

It is hoped that the Merdeka Belajar – Kampus Merdeka  policy can be the answer to these demands. Kampus Merdeka is a form of learning  in higher education that is autonomous and  flexible so as to create a learning culture that is  innovative, non-restrictive, and in accordance with  the needs of students. The main programs are:  ease of opening new study programs, changes in  the higher education accreditation system, the  ease with which state universities become legally  incorporated PTNs, and the right to study three  semesters outside the study program. Students are  given the freedom to take credits outside the study  program, three semesters in the form of 1 semester  of opportunity to take courses outside the study  program and 2 semesters to carry out learning  activities outside of college. 

Various forms of learning activities outside of tertiary institutions, including doing internships  / work practices in industry or other workplaces,  carrying out community service projects in villages,  teaching in educational units, participating  in student exchanges, conducting research,  conducting entrepreneurial activities, making  studies / independent projects, and participating in  humanitarian programs. All of these activities must  be carried out with the guidance of the lecturers.  An independent campus is expected to provide  contextual field experiences that will improve  student competence as a whole, be ready to work,  or create new jobs.   

The learning process in the Kampus Merdeka is a manifestation of student centered learning  which is essential. Learning in the Independent  Campus provides challenges and opportunities  for the development of innovation, creativity,  capacity, personality, and student needs, as well as developing independence in seeking and finding knowledge through reality and field dynamics such as ability requirements, real problems, social interactions, collaboration, self-management,  performance demands, targets and achievements.  Through an independent learning program that is  well designed and implemented, the students’ hard  and soft skills will be strong. 

The Merdeka Belajar Program – Kampus Merdeka is expected to be able to answer the challenges of  higher education institutions to produce graduates  who are in line with the times, advances in science  and technology, the demands of the business and  industrial world, as well as the dynamics of society.