The Center for Law and Social Justice Studies (LSJ) of the Faculty of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), hosted a workshop discussion on "Academic Freedom, Research, and Higher Education Policy" on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
The workshop featured research colleagues from four universities: the Norwegian Center for Human Rights, Oslo University Law School, Chulalongkorn University Law School, and LSJ, Faculty of Law, UGM. This collaboration focused on research on Academic Freedom in Southeast Asia.
The workshop brought together university leaders, researchers, and experts from Indonesia to discuss the latest trends and developments in academic freedom and their challenges to human rights.
In attendance were Mark Capaldi (Mahidol University), Fuadi Pitsuwan (Thammasat University), and Sriprapha Petcharamesree (the first Chair of the ASEAN Human Rights Council from Chulalongkorn University Law School). Participants came from several cities and campuses, representing organizations at the forefront of academic freedom, such as KIKA (Indonesian Caucus for Academic Freedom), SPK (Campus Workers Union), ALMI (Indonesian Young Scientists Academy), and several research centers from several campuses in Yogyakarta, including UII and UGM.
The challenges facing research culture in Indonesia remain fraught for a number of complex reasons, including sensitive themes, the politicization of campus structural policies, and even issues with facilities and funding. The workshop generated alternative ideas for developing academic work with greater independence, including reinforcing campus autonomy as a foundation for research development.
Herlambang P. Wiratraman explained that in efforts to champion and strengthen the role of academics, including building a research ecosystem, the government must boldly adopt a paradigm shift strategy, particularly by ending subordinate power relations. Universities and research institutions must uphold academic dignity by upholding integrity, combating the mafia in journals, publications, and the manipulation of rank. Campuses must have the courage to protect academic freedom of dissertations by promoting lecturer welfare, eroding feudalism of campus power, and implementing more accountable governance policies.
Author : LSJ Media Team
