Gov’t Seeks Plan to Hire Foreign University Chancellors

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani meets reporters after attending a plenary cabinet meeting, at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (5/8). (Photo by: AGUNG / PR)

The possibility of hiring foreign chancellors and lecturers is currently being discussed by Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani has said.

“We need to consider the pros and cons. In the spirit of improving our universities, why do not we try to have a more progressive thinking,” the Coordinating Minister told reporters after attending a plenary cabinet meeting, at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (5/8).

The Government, Puan added,  has yet to discuss on which universities will be led by foreign chancellors.

She also said that in the future, the Government will focus on developing excellent human resources as such human resources could have better competencies.

For the record, Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education M. Nasir has planned to hire foreign chancellors to lead selected public universities to establish Indonesia’s universities as part of the world top 100 universities.

“(We will challenge the foreign chancellors) to improve the rank of (selected universities) to the top 200 in the world. After the target is achieved, the next (target) is to the top 150, and then the top 100,” M. Nasir said.

The Minister also ensured that the Chancellors’ salaries will not  pose risks to university’s budget.

The Government, Nasir added, sets target to hire a foreign chancellor in one public university starting from 2020, and by 2024 the number will increase into five public universities. (FID/AGG/ES)

Translated by : Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Edited by : Ridwan Ibadurrohman, Mia M. Bonaedy