The Model of Regional Academic Cooperation and
Communication
A Perspective from East-Java: Public-Universities Link-System
(PULSE)
Puruhito*
Rector of Airlangga University, Surabaya
Indonesia
Abstract
Cooperation among Universities has been a long entity in the higher education
level to benefit all the participating parties. Benefit of such collaborations has been
shown by many cases, which is an important element in the strategic thinking of each
participating University. The partnership among the universities with could create
collaborative academic and educational projects. As a part of the university’s mission in
education, this kind of collaboration should therefore bring the universities to be matured
into a relationship which recognized each other as “preferred partners” in the university’s
mission. The extent to which the very diversity of each participating parties should
become the basis for the cooperation to pursue the project, will be documented as the
both successes and exciting prospects for the future of the higher education. University is
facing the fact that the era of globalization will appear just in the next 2 – 5 years from
now, and Indonesia is heading for the AFTA 2003’s WTO agreement. Graduates from
Universities will form the working force, which will classify as elite class in the future.
Therefore, the collaborative educational projects could be used as a part of the education
by means of a link-system, in which a combination of the traditional education models,
the need of the society and the interest of each participating university to sponsor could
be met in modern tools of academic cooperation. The “PULSE” system has provided
higher education opportunities to a large cross-section of society in East-Java
State/Public Universities setting.
*
Tel: (62) 315030171, Fax: (62) 31 5032557 – 5011829, E-mail : puruhito@unair.ac.id
Address: Airlangga University, Jl. Airlangga 4-6, Surabaya 60286, INDONESIA
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Keywords: University Link, Higher Education Cooperation, Uni-Network,
Academic Cooperation, Academic Link System
Introduction
Working together among Universities in various aspects of academic activities as
well as to build an entrepreneurship climate should be based on the proximity and
common areas of interest of the participating partnership. The working relationship could
further be strengthened by recognizing each other as the “preferred partner” in the
particular field of cooperation. To formalize the relationship, a written memorandum of
understanding should be underpinned and should be supported by Senate, or Faculty
Committees of each University. Such cooperation could in a long term phase give result
as continuing reductions in core funding from the government and also unparalleled
opportunities to develop their innovative and entrepreneurial skills in a global market. To
achieve these goals, a collaborative development which links the local, national and
international level should be carried out (1).
Recently, to face the era of globalization, Indonesian Government has encouraged
the increase of competition on higher education. Competitiveness which is declared
through Government-Decree No.60/1999 and No.61/1999 shows a reformation in the
philosophy of Indonesian Higher Education. Competition in the international economy as
one of the results of globalization results in a heavy burden for developing countries,
whereas in the New World order, human resources in an important if not the most
important factor in determining the success of economic and national development (2) .
But there are barriers to adopting the - model and perhaps the greatest one is its
inherent demand for autonomy. Agility and responsiveness are necessary for institutions
to keep pace with the needs of the local business sector and community. A process that
enables facilitation of change to curricula as well as canceling and adding programs is
needed. Large bureaucracies, such as the Ministry of Education, that are distant from the
served community tend to be slow in making decisions and prefer uniformity across the
Indonesia's higher education institutions to make administration easier(3). Yet, even
within the centralized higher education system of Indonesian Higher Education System,
the regional and local contexts should be accommodated to a much greater extent with
universities.
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Philosophy of an Academic Link-System (4)
Professor Peter Scott from England wrote(5) that “...no university can provide all
possible services for the global market but networks, consortia or partnership can thus
become more important than participating universities”. The question is: should
cooperation in higher education level be an alternative for the future of services by the
university for the community or networks and merger as another one? Between myth and
reality should therefore be narrowed. Many European Universities are now involved in
consortia, such as “Universitas-21” or “The Utrecht Circle”. The famous “European
Consortium of Innovative Universities” (ECIU) consists of 11 Universities in 9 countries.
In the five years since the ECIU was established, many initiatives have been launched
aimed at securing a competitive advantage, either for European Community Framework
or new income systems of Higher Education and also because of limited resources, it has
taken longer time to achieve a major success. Although the academic staff in the
consortium is ever skeptical that the consortium is worthy, the union of those universities
has now shown progress. The same phenomena happen in most Australian institutions,
which have been involved in merges in recent years, as part of the rationalization of the
system. Some of these new entities have been much more successful than others. In the
United States of America, long years’ mergers and Universities-Unions have been known,
such as the “SUNY-system”, UCLA-UCSF, etc.(6). Are institutional mergers a way
forward for Indonesian Higher Education? Is this still a myth or could it be realized in the
near future?
The network of State or Public Universities in East Java has been pursued for many
years, which now, amongst these seven State/Public Universities exist a strong tie which
being shown through a regular meeting and face-to-face contacts. This marked the
beginning of an “inter-University cooperation” and a possible “University-mergers” in
the atmosphere of Indonesian Higher Education System and Networking (7).
The University’s Vision and Mission in East-Java Setting (8)
The institution in its Vision and Mission as stated in its University-Statuta declares
to be a leading academic and research university, as it is known for its excellence in
teaching and research, its innovative interdisciplinary programs, and its direct social
engagement around East Java province and almost entirely the whole parts of EasternIndonesia, which is populated by 100 M people.
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The University’s management and the Rector’s policy wish the University play an
important role in the development of East Java province while also becoming more
important nationally and internationally. Ultimately, it is also envisaged as a prototype of
the new Indonesian University’s Link-System model.
The demands and opportunities of changing world requires today’s Indonesian
University to evolve, in which, for this evolution, with particular reference to Public or
State-Universities of East Java, will cultivate excellence in teaching, research, and public
service while providing the best possible education to the widest possible spectrum of
society need. It is a general mission of Indonesian universities that should embraces the
educational needs of a broad population, not only a select group, and be a part of the
nation’s mission to unite as a one nation. The Link-System amongst East-Java State
Universities’ inclusion shall contribute to the advancement of society need.
Situational Analysis
The local condition in East Java dictate that University should become a different
type of university, in which the traditional model is dominated by the standards, influence,
and characteristics of a relatively small number of State Universities in Indonesia (9), as
compare to the number of private universities. The objective of the strategic issues of
each University’s goals is to position itself in the top tier of universities while at the same
time meeting the educational needs of a broadly diverse student body and reaching out to
the community outside East Java.
Success Criterion of a Link-System among Universities
The criterion for measuring potential success of a networking and communication
model in Indonesian Higher Education System is comprised of one overarching goal
statement and multiple objectives that address the many problems experienced in the
region (10, 11, and 12). The overarching goal is to provide increased access to affordable,
high quality higher education that is relevant to the economic development of Indonesia,
and ultimately Indonesian Higher Education System. Under this overarching goal are 10
objectives.
1.
To provide increased access to higher education at an affordable cost.
2.
To provide higher education in the rural areas without creating brain drains to
the larger cities.
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3.
To assist people in the workforce with upgrading their skills and qualifications.
4.
To develop a symbiotic relationship between higher education and industry that
increases the relevance of education programs, employment opportunities, and
economic development in the provinces.
5.
To establish higher education institutions that are responsive to community
needs and adapt quickly when the needs change or new ones arise.
6.
To increase social equity by preparing disadvantaged smaller universities, to
participate equally in higher education.
7.
To increase equality by allowing fully qualified graduates of universities.
8.
To ensure high quality education by establishing institutional assessment and
quality control processes.
9.
To diversify funding and thereby improve the infrastructure and maintenance of
the higher education institutions.
10. To raise the qualifications and improve the instructional skills of higher
education teachers.
Categorical Features of the Network dan Communication Model
For the purposes of this presentation, the model is represented by 10 fundamental
characteristics.
1.
Five common mission components are (a) open access and equity in admissions;
(b) multidisciplinary, comprehensive programs; (c) an emphasis on teaching; (d)
meeting the community's needs; and (e) life-long learning.
2.
Five core education programs are (a) transfer, (b) technical and occupational, (c)
remedial, (d) continuing, and (e) workforce development.
3.
A broad age range of students, full time and part time, is accommodated.
4.
Fifty percent of the curriculum is dedicated to liberal arts and the rest is
primarily business, health fields, technology, and industry related.
5.
Local industry helps with the development of relevant, up-to-date curricula,
programs and instruction, provides internships
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6.
Funding sources are diversified including state, student tuition and fees, local
government, entrepreneurial activities, and grants.
7.
State boards generally approve new programs and conduct audits while local
boards set the tuition, appoint the program coordinator, and approve the budget.
8.
Articulation agreements ensure synchronization between the institutions and
protect students from erroneous expectations.
9.
Institutional assessments ensure the identification of problems that impair the
accomplishment of goals and reduce the quality of higher education.
Summary
The “PULSE” model has significant potential for relieving some of the difficult
higher education related problems experienced in Indonesia. One of the most pressing
problems is the increasing demand for access. Open admission is not now feasible for
Indonesian Higher Education System due to limited facilities and an insufficient number
of qualified faculties. But, by increasing the number of more affordable, good quality
institutions that offer the shorter duration associate degree programs, the student throughput rate is faster and the overall capacity of the higher education system can be
substantially increased. The model also satisfies labor market needs more effectively than
would increase the number of university graduates who often have difficulty finding
employment in Indonesia or move away to large cities. It provides the flexibility required
to mold the participating Universities in a way that matches the specific needs of the
community served. This adaptability, combined with active linkages to employers in the
local business sector, increases the relevance of programs and curricula. Additionally,
graduates, through their employment and small business development, would contribute
economic growth in the region.
The academic courses, which are an essential component of the link-system model,
are important to providing a holistic education experience. The purpose of education
should go beyond economic growth to include development of critical thinking skills,
good citizenship, constructive social initiatives, and an improved quality of life. The
model also can make a contribution to the achievement of greater equity and equality.
This model was initially developed to meet the demands of an industrializing nation and
has continued to help fulfill socioeconomic needs through the present day. Other
countries have examined and adapted the model successfully and it shows significant
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promise for helping Indonesian Higher Education System to at least address some of its
pressing human capital requirements. Of equal or perhaps greater importance, the
“PULSE” model should increases access to higher education for students at an affordable
cost and without leaving their local communities. These students are then able to
strengthen their economic potential and enrich their personal lives.
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