Student learning materials, were not just books, but also fieldwork. Student work was not just academic, but also technological solutions that benefited society.
Screenshot from the Presidential Secretariat\'s Youtube account regarding the atmosphere of the conversation with President Joko Widodo (left) in the context of the Merdeka Campus Festival, Tuesday (15/6/2021).
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Wisdom exists not only on university campuses, but also in society. Therefore, universities must provide opportunities for students to learn from anyone, about anything.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo made the statement at a joint discussion on Tuesday (15/6/2021), in the context of the Festival Kampus Merdeka (Independent Campus Festival). The event, which was held at the State Palace in Jakarta, was attended by Education, Culture, Research and Technology Minister Nadiem Makarim, Indonesian Rectors Forum chairman Arif Satria, Telkom president director Ririek Adriansyah, and Tokopedia president director William Tanuwijaya, as well as several student representatives.
"So don\'t just study on campus, we can also study in society. Because of that, students should be given the opportunity to learn from anyone, not just lecturers. Learn anywhere, not just on campus, but also in society, in industry, and in other places," said the President.
Student learning materials, the President added, were not just books, but also fieldwork. Student work was not just academic, but also technological solutions that benefited society. Student work could also be in the form of social entrepreneurships that solved social issues.
Assuming such a mindset required the support of various parties. “First, the university must provide opportunities for students to learn from anyone, about anything. There must be adequate [allocation] of semester credits (SKS) to study outside campus," said the President.
Second, industry must also be open to accepting student interns. Industry circles must also visit campuses to participate in teaching and researching alongside lecturers and students.
Third, students must more actively seek new learning resources beyond campus. “Study anything, from anyone. With the current developments in digital technology, I believe this is easier to do," said President Jokowi.
Fourth, President Jokowi asked the Cabinet and local administration to develop an ecosystem conducive to the Merdeka Belajar (Independent Learning) and Kampus Merdeka programs. Establishing a good ecosystem would generate enthusiasm among all parties, and which was hoped would be sustained and increased.
‘Kampus Merdeka’
On the same occasion, President Jokowi also asked the Education, Culture, Research and Technology Minister about the steps that had been taken to achieve the vision of developing “superior human resources” through the Kampus Merdeka program. Nadiem respondend that Kampus Merdeka promoted academic independence.
“The question is, independent from what? We want to liberate universities from divides, various divides. The divide between academia and industry, the divide between research and learning, the divide between faculties, the divide between study programs. We want to create a certain [type of] university, a singular higher education system that is collaborative. That\'s the key word, gotong royong (mutual cooperation), collaboration without walls," said Nadiem.
The Kampus Merdeka Festival offers discussions featuring various inspirational figures. It is believed that the Kampus Merdeka independent student learning program will provide broad room for students to prioritize not only academics, but also nonacademic aims that were critical to success.
Kris Imanuel Pesiwarissa, a biology student at Pattimura University in Ambon, said that he participated in a national student exchange program as part of the Kampus Merdeka program.
“Students from the eastern region enrich the learning experience of universities in the western region and vice versa. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, student exchanges have been held online," said Kris.
Kompas/Hendra A Setyawan
Participants take the Computer-Based Written Examination-Joint Selection for State University Entrance (UTBK-SBMPTN) at the Veterans National Development University (UPN) Jakarta in Depok, West Java, Monday (26/4/2021).
Students today are the generation that knows that learning does not really [happen] in the classroom, but outside.
Pinkan Margaretha, the dean of the psychology program at Krida Wacana University Jakarta, said that a survey of new students showed that nearly 80 percent wanted to study outside campus.
“Students today are the generation that knows that learning does not really [happen] in the classroom, but outside. This is a challenge for study programs in providing the curriculum,” she said.
In the beginning, it was difficult to persuade lecturers who were afraid that students\' study time would decrease. Lectures must be condensed into five semesters so that students could optimally use the remaining three semesters to strengthen their competence in other disciplines, as well as build soft skills though various activities facilitated by the government and the university.
“This perspective of seeing opportunities, not threats, must be communicated from the [campus] leadership to lecturers. In the end, the lecturers began to believe that Kampus Merdeka was good for students and [they] became supportive,” said Pinkan.
Under the Kampus Merdeka program, students have the choice of taking off-campus activities that are approved for earning university credits. Meanwhile, lecturers accompany students in their activities so they continue to remain relevant to off-camps developments.
