FDPNI Virtual Meeting with the Minister of Education and Culture

Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Anwar Makarim held a discussion on polytechnic development via video conference facilities with all State Polytechnic Directors across Indonesia. The discussion concerned Minister Nadiem's policies regarding Merdeka Belajar: Kampus Merdeka (Freedom to Learn: Independent Campus). The event held on 12 March 2020 was connected to all polytechnics across Indonesia.

During the discussion with the Directors, the Minister of Education and Culture reaffirmed the Kampus Merdeka policy, which emphasizes several key policy points: 1) The opening of new study programs, followed by the issuance of Permendikbud No. 7 of 2020 on the Establishment, Amendment, and Dissolution of State Higher Education Institutions, and the Establishment, Amendment, and Revocation of Licenses for Private Higher Education Institutions, as well as Permendikbud No. 5 of 2020 on Accreditation of Study Programs and Higher Education Institutions; 2) The higher education accreditation system, followed by the issuance of Permendikbud No. 5 of 2020 on Accreditation of Study Programs and Higher Education Institutions; 3) Legal Entity State Higher Education Institutions, followed by the issuance of Permendikbud No. 4 of 2020 on the Transformation of State Higher Education Institutions into Legal Entity State Higher Education Institutions and Permendikbud No. 6 of 2020 on New Student Admissions for Undergraduate Programs at State Higher Education Institutions; and 4) The right to study for three semesters outside the study program, followed by the issuance of Permendikbud No. 3 of 2020 on National Standards for Higher Education.

The Director of Politeknik Negeri Ketapang (Ketapang State Polytechnic), who attended the meeting, reaffirmed that the Minister's breakthrough deserved high appreciation as an innovative approach to higher education management. However, he stated that the policy currently feasible to implement is the right to study for three semesters outside the study program, where the institution has already begun implementing the dual system concept by increasing internship duration. The second policy to be pursued is improving accreditation rankings by continuously striving to implement educational quality in accordance with National Education Standards. Regarding the opening of new study programs, the institution will continue to foster partnerships with competent industries in accordance with Kemendikbud recommendations. Meanwhile, regarding the transition into a Legal Entity State Higher Education Institution, Politap cannot yet implement it because, as a New State Higher Education Institution (PTNB), its realistic target is to develop towards becoming a Public Service Agency (BLU).