UMA Rector Attended the Indonesia 2020 Chancellor Forum Event at the Open Event by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Ir. H. Joko Widodo

University of Medan Area Chancellor Prof. Dr. Dadan Ramdan, M.Eng, M.Sc. attended the Indonesia Chancellor Forum 2020 on Saturday 4 July 2020 in the campus chancellor 1 room at Medan Area University. The Indonesia Rector Forum 2020 event by president was attended by all Chancellors both state and private tertiary institutions throughout Indonesia.

Before the event began, participants sang the song Indonesia Raya followed by speakers and other participants, then the opening ceremony was opened by the Prosecutor of the Republic of Indonesia Ir. H. Joko Widodo provided input to several Ministers and all Rectors of State and Private Universities in Indonesia.

The remarks from the Republic of Indonesia President Ir. H. Joko Widodo said Jokowi hoped that the Indonesian Chancellors’ Forum (FRI) should not be limited to communication, but should be a forum for sharing of fellow universities, including curriculum, syllabus, to online lectures.

“I’m sure the Indonesian Chancellors’ Forum can have a big role. Therefore, I order a few things first I invite FRI not only to become a communication forum, but the Indonesian Chancellor Forum must also be packaged into a forum of mutual care sharing, that is, those who can help those who cannot and those who have help who do not, share experiences online, share syllabus curriculum, sharing lecturers online, “Jokowi said in live streaming.

Republic of Indonesia President Ir. H. Joko Widodo also observed the development of education amid the coronavirus pandemic. He said learning is currently practiced virtually to prevent transmission of the virus. Jokowi said that online lectures have become new normal, and could become something normal in the future.

“Pandemics provide valuable lessons, crises force us to make new ways, build new norms,” he said.

“Online lectures which have been slow to run are now very developed. Online lectures will be new normal and will be next to normal. I am sure there will be new growth that is more innovative and productive, “he continued.

Furthermore, the Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Makarim explained that the Ministry of Education and Culture will launch the Merdeka Campus policy with four policy adjustments in the scope of higher education. The first policy is autonomy for State Universities (PTN) and Private (PTS) to open or establish new study programs (study programs). This autonomy is granted if the PTN and PTS have accreditation A and B, and have collaborated with organizations and/or universities included in the QS Top 100 World Universities. Exceptions apply to health and education study programs.

The second policy is an automatic re-accreditation program for all grades and is voluntary for colleges and study programs that are ready to move up the ranks. In the future, an accreditation that has been established by the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education (BAN-PT) will remain valid for 5 years but will be renewed automatically.

The third policy is related to the freedom for PTN Public Service Agency (BLU) and Work Unit (Satker) to become PTN Legal Entity (PTN BH). The Ministry of Education and Culture will facilitate the requirements of BLN PTN and Satker to become BH BHN without being bound by accreditation status.

The fourth policy will give students the right to take courses outside the study program and make changes to the definition of Semester Credit Units (credits). On the other hand, currently, the weight of credits for learning activities outside the classroom is very small and does not encourage students to seek new experiences, especially on many campuses, student exchanges or work practices delay student graduation.

INDONESIAN VERSION