This merger is necessary, so that every college has a strong financial standing."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Minister for Research, Technology, and Higher Education Mohamad Nasir has called on small educational campuses that are unable to finance their operational activities to go for a merger.

"We direct colleges that are unable to finance their operational activities to opt for a merger. Who are going to go for the merger? They (the colleges) will," Nasir stated in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Although the Indonesian government has suggested them to go for a merger, it has not made it mandatory for the institutions. It should be a voluntary decision by the colleges.

"The government does not force them, but it wants each university to have a strong (financial standing). Those keen on going ahead with the merger can do it, while others not willing to merge, it does not matter," he explained.

The merger of colleges will most easily be carried out under a single foundation, with the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education facilitating the institutions for the move.

"This merger is necessary, so that every college has a strong financial standing. This especially holds significance in the era of global competition in which each college must have a strong financial standing and be able to produce a workforce that is able to compete," he noted.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Rector Forum Professor Suyanto said his party has also urged universities facing difficulties in meeting their operational costs to opt for a merger.

"For instance, 165 universities, under the auspices of Muhammadiyah, in which ideally one foundation only has 100 colleges," Suyanto pointed out.

Suyanto, who is also rector of the University of Muhammadiyah Buya Hamka, stated that three colleges of Muhammadiyah in Palopo, Kendal, Lamongan and Samarinda will soon merge to form a university. Those colleges are academies offering educational programs in economics, education and educational sciences, and health sciences.

"The merger of the academies is a positive step and aims to establish a strong university," he added. ***4***



Reported by Indriani

M052/INE/B003

EDITED BY INE



(T.M052/A/KR-BSR/B003) 14-02-2017 19:11:59

Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2017