Indonesian students propose bill to remove minister's power in rector appointments

Students at Indonesia's University of Indonesia are proposing a new bill that would strip the education minister of the power to appoint university rectors. The students argue that this ministerial authority infringes upon the independence of campuses in selecting their leaders.

Currently, the education minister, or sometimes the religious affairs minister, holds the decisive vote in the rector selection process. The students believe this system compromises the autonomy of universities, which should be free to choose their own leadership without external political interference.

The proposed "Law on National Education System" (RUU Sisdiknas) seeks to amend existing regulations to ensure that universities can manage their internal affairs, including leadership appointments, without undue influence from the government. This move reflects a broader concern among academics and students about maintaining academic freedom and institutional integrity in Indonesia's higher education sector.