Politap Prepares for Kampus Merdeka

The Director of Politeknik Negeri Ketapang (Ketapang State Polytechnic) attended the Indonesian State Polytechnic Directors Forum Meeting in Jakarta on 13–14 February 2020. This meeting was held to discuss various important issues concerning the Minister of Education and Culture's Merdeka Belajar: Kampus Merdeka policy. The key points of the Kampus Merdeka policy include the opening of new study programs, the higher education accreditation system, legal entity state universities (PTNBH), and the right to study for three semesters outside the study program.

Several resource persons attended the meeting to share information: Prof. Dr. Jamal Wiwoho, SH, MHum (Rector of UNS) on PTNBH, Dr. Ir. Patdono Suwignjo, M.Eng, Sc (Acting Director General of Vocational Education) on internships within Kampus Merdeka, Dr. Ir. Agus Indarjo, M.Phil (Acting Director of Vocational Higher Education) on PTNBH, and Wartanto (Acting Secretary of the Directorate General of Vocational Education).

Endang Kusmana, Director of Politeknik Negeri Ketapang, stated that Kampus Merdeka should be welcomed enthusiastically as a breakthrough in higher education management; however, he noted that the conditions of state universities (PTN) across Indonesia are not all the same. Many state institutions, particularly New State Universities (PTNB) including Politap, cannot yet advance as rapidly as long-established state universities. Another supporting factor for this initiative is synergy with other ministries, including the Ministry of State Apparatus Utilization and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB) regarding staffing and the Ministry of Finance regarding state finances.

Nevertheless, Politap will immediately undertake preparations, such as continuing efforts to implement the National Higher Education Standards across various aspects and enhancing cooperation with industry in curriculum development, internship activities, and graduate recruitment.