[Unpad.ac.id, 14/09/2016] Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Moh. Nasir, PhD, Ak., delivered a speech in the commemoration of the 59th anniversary of the Universitas Padjadjaran at Grha Sanusi Hardjadinata Unpad, Jalan Dipati Ukur No. 35, Bandung, Wednesday (14/09). On the occasion, Prof. Nasir read his oration entitled “Transformasi Perguruan Tinggi dan Daya Saing Bangsa”.
Prof. Nasir said the quality of higher education in Indonesia must be improved in order to face the challenges of an increasingly complex nation. Currently, the total number of state and private universities in Indonesia reached 4,350 with a total population of about 250 million people. This number exceeds the total number of universities in China, which is about 2,824 with a total population of 1.4 billion. This means that Indonesia has an opportunity to improve the quality of higher education.
“We will be dealing with universities abroad. We should not pursue to be the first, but to be the best, “said Prof. Nasir.
One of the government’s target for higher education is to make it in the 500 world’s best universities. In order to achieve this, the management in universities must be changed. The Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education itself, said Prof. Nasir, has prepared various regulations to improve the quality of higher education.
“Regulations are meant to improve, so as to encourage universities in Indonesia for better flexibility, both in academic and nonacademic autonomy, “he added.
He pointed out, as efforts to achieve world class university level, the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education has begun to issue various regulations related to foreign student enrolment. This regulation shows that Indonesian universities are open for foreign students, so that the number of foreign students studying in Indonesia will increase.
Other efforts in achieving these targets is to increase the number of international scientific publications. Prof. Nasir said it encourages the strengthening of research which is no longer based on the process, on the outputs.
Prof. Nasir also encouraged Unpad’s academic community to increase output-based research activities. Various research manuscripts stored in the library can be developed further to produce innovation.
The Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education itself also provides incentives for researchers who publish their scientific research, whether in unaccredited and accredited national journals, non-reputable and reputable international journals.
Prof. Nasir also conveys the strength of Unpad as a legal-based state university. This status gives colleges the flexibility to creations to manage their activities independently. It is based on a limited number of the state budget for the management of the college.
To that end, Prof. Nasir encouraged the Rector to serve not only as the leader of an academic institution, but also as a CEO to run a large organization on an ongoing basis.
“Rector should not only think as a academician, but also as a businessperson to earn money and improve quality. The Board of Trustees may become the commissioner,” said Prof. Nasir.
Although encouraged to generate income independently, Prof. Nasir stressed that Unpad should not be required to obtain a certain amount of income. “The important thing is targeting to enter the top 500 universities of the world,” he concluded.
Reflections on 59 Years of Universitas Padjadjaran
On the occasion, Prof. Nasir appreciated Unpad as one of the best state universities in Indonesia. Coinciding with the anniversary momentum, Prof. Nasir expected Unpad to be able to publish various achievements that have been achieved for 59 years.
“Unpad grows as a state institution that should contribute to strategic minds and excellent works,” said Prof. Nasir.
He also advised that study programs in owned Unpad to seek competence of their own respective graduates. It aims to reduce unemployment, especially at the Bachelor’s level.
After delivering a speech, Prof. Nasir received Anugerah Padjadjaran Utama, an award given directly by Rector, Prof. Tri Hanggono Achmad. *
Photos by Tedi Yusup (Humas Unpad)
Reported by Arief Maulana / eh
