JAKARTA:

A leading Indonesian university is under fire as it announced the postponement of a doctoral degree for Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, Bahlil Lahadalia, less than a month after affirming that he had satisfied all academic and administrative criteria for graduation.

The University of Indonesia (UI), ranked the top university in the nation according to the QS World University Rankings 2024, issued a public apology and will temporarily cease the admission of new students to its doctoral program at the School of Strategic and Global Studies while conducting a comprehensive audit of the program’s governance and academic processes.

The decision to postpone the conferment of Bahlil's degree was announced following a high-stakes coordination meeting. Dr. Yahya Cholil Staquf, head of UI's board of trustees, stated that the university acknowledges internal shortcomings contributing to this crisis and is taking corrective measures from both academic and ethical perspectives.

The uproar began when it emerged that Bahlil completed his doctoral program in just one year and eight months—significantly shorter than the standard three to four years that most candidates typically require. Allegations surfaced in local media that he may have employed “joki” services—essentially, hiring someone to do the academic work for him, sparking outrage across the nation.

In response to the university's decision, Bahlil characterized the postponement as an administrative oversight. “I understand that my graduation is set for December, and I will only be deemed to have passed the program after that,” he explained, asserting that his dissertation was complete but still required revisions.

Despite these assurances, it appears public sentiment is firmly against the minister. Social media erupted with reactions praising the university for its bold move, emphasizing the importance of upholding academic integrity. One netizen commented, “If a leading institution loses its integrity, the pursuit of truth becomes compromised. Thank you, UI, for reaffirming this principle,” highlighting the crucial role of academic standards in preserving educational values.

Amid the growing controversy, a group of UI alumni launched a petition on October 17, calling for an independent inquiry into the allegations surrounding Bahlil's expedited degree. The petition, which has gained traction on Change.org, demands that the university revoke the minister’s degree if investigations confirm any breaches of academic regulations.

As this scandal unfolds, it raises broader questions about the integrity of higher education in Indonesia and whether this situation was only prompted by the viral nature of the allegations. The outcome of the audit and the university's subsequent actions could set an important precedent in maintaining the credibility of educational institutions across the country. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!