JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Of about 2.800 private universities, a mere 50 percent are “healthy” – What is meant by “healthy” here is their fulfillment of criteria such as strong enrollment numbers, good student to lecturer ratio, an adequate facilities. Healthy institutions of higher education have a direct effect on the quality of its gruaduates as well as competitiveness on the job market.

“If enrollement numbers are weak, the likelyhood that the university can prosper since a sizeable part of the funds come from students,” says Suhardi, Head of the General Association for Private Universities (Aptisi).

According to Suharyadi, many private universities force themselves to administer their program despite weak enrollment numbers.

There are so many private universities operating today, says Suharyadi, because the government is too lenient in giving permits for the establishment of higher education institutions without carefully evaluating the programs offered, the needs of the public in regards to education infrastracture and facilities.

On the other hand, no thorough efforts is done to evaluate existing higher education institutions, including assessing teaching professionals, study programs, education facilities as well as the students enrolled in the programs.

In addition, today private universities are in unhealthy competition against public universties which have no problem to offer their programs to the public, enrolling students through a number of different methods.

“Public universities should focused on conducting research and administering post-graduate and doctorate programs. Undergraduate study programs, let alone diploma degrees should be the focus of private universities.” he said.

Oversupply

Suharyadi’s appraisal regarding the number of private universities today is in oversupply to what the public needs as well as student enrollment growth.

Supporting data points from the 28 million Indonesian citizens aged 19-24 who should be attending higher education institutions, of this number to now amount to only 4,3 million students, or 17,2 percent. The government targets higher education institutions may reach 18 percent or an additional 180.000 new students up to 2009.

Fasli Jalal, Director General of Higher Education, agrees that many private universities need to be evaluated as to their in meeting standards for the provision of higher education  . Moreover the government was forced to close down several private universities that did not to respond to warnings by the government to tidy themselves up.

“I cannot confirm the percentage of private universities that are not fit for service, however, many private universities are out there that need to be watched carefully. Verification must be performed first,” he said. (EIS)