The sensitive issue regarding the plans to evaluate and potentially eliminate educational programs deemed irrelevant by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science (Kemendikti-Saintek) has become a serious wake-up call for religious higher education institutions. Providing quick response to this, the Directorate General of Hindu Community Guidance of the Ministry of Religious Affairs held a Coordination Meeting on the Establishment of a Hindu Religious Education Consortium, initiated by IAHN Mpu Kuturan Singaraja on Monday, May 4, 2026.
The meeting, held virtually via Zoom, served as a crucial moment to determine the future direction of Hindu higher education in Indonesia, ensuring it remains competitive amid the dynamics of the global industry.
In his remarks, the Director General of Hindu Community Guidance, I Nengah Duija, emphasized the importance of graduate relevance. He emphasized that the government’s call for revitalization must be addressed with concrete actions rather than merely administrative adjustments.
“This situation must not be repeated, especially in responding to the Ministry of Higher Education and Science’s directives on aligning higher education with industry needs,” he stated.
He further explained that the ministry’s latest policy on educational programs evaluation should be interpreted as a mandate for a comprehensive overhaul of existing curricula. “We can no longer rely on our current curriculum. A redefinition of Hindu Religious Education is necessary. This redefinition has already been discussed in earlier academic forums,” he added.
The core of this new strategy is the Redefinition of Hindu Religious Education. Prof. Duija highlighted that Hindu education must not be treated merely as a supplementary component to general knowledge, but should stand on a strong and independent epistemological foundation.
Several key transformation points to be implemented through the Consortium covering:
- Industry-Oriented Curriculum : Preparing graduates not only for teaching roles, but also for professional opportunities in social, cultural, and creative industries.
- Technology and AI Integration : Responding to contemporary challenges, where learning has shifted to digital platforms and increasingly incorporates Artificial Intelligence (AI) in teaching methods.
- Flexible Graduate Competencies : Growing a mindset to students will enable them to work across various sectors, especially when opportunities in teaching are limited.
Agreeing this perspective, the Rector of IAHN Mpu Kuturan Singaraja, I Gede Suwindia, stated that the consortium initiative represents a strategic step to strengthen the academic position of Hindu education at the national level. He emphasized that inter-institutional collaboration is essential to ensure that religious study programs remain relevant in a rapidly evolving world.
“The establishment of this consortium is our response to the need for integration and sustainable educational development. We aim to ensure that synergy among Hindu Religious Higher Education Institutions produces high academic standards and curricula that truly address societal and industry needs,” he explained.
Prof. Suwindia also affirmed that IAHN Mpu Kuturan is fully committed to becoming a driving force behind this transformation. “Innovation cannot be achieved in isolation. Through this consortium, we share resources, expertise, and best practices to ensure our graduates are highly competitive and our study programs remain aligned with national standards,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the Chair of the Consortium Formation Committee, I Putu Agus Jaya Negara, added that this platform is expected to actively engage lecturers in revitalizing knowledge, methodologies, and strategic issues. This effort is essential to ensure that the teaching of theology and religious education is grounded in clear core standards, rather than relying solely on individual empirical experiences.
Editor : I Made Juni Saputra
Photographer : I Gede Dipayana
Contributed and Translated by Muhammad Mahmud Alhushori
