The Effectiveness of the Independent Campus Flagship Program in Improving the Quality of Higher Education Graduates in Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to identify the effectiveness of the implementation of the flagship program of the independent campus, namely Internship and Certified Independent Study (MSIB), Teaching Campus (KM), Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA), Independent Student Exchange (PMM), and Independent Entrepreneurship (WMK) in improving the quality of higher education graduates in Indonesia with the parameters of the waiting period for work and the amount of the first salary after graduating from college. This research employs a qualitative methodology with a descriptive approach, utilizing data collection approaches through questionnaires and documentation studies derived from the 2023 State University tracer study data outcomes. The results indicated that graduates who participated in the independent campus flagship program established by the Ministry of Education and Culture experienced a longer job search duration compared to those who did not participate in the program. However, for the aspect of the amount of the first salary after graduation, students who have participated in the independent campus flagship program implemented by the Ministry of Research and Technology are greater than students who have never participated in the independent campus flagship program. Thus, the implementation of the independent campus flagship program needs to be evaluated in depth because it has not had a significant impact on improving the quality of higher education graduates in Indonesia based on these two aspects. In addition, it is necessary to develop other policies and programs that can bring higher education graduates closer to the needs in the world of work.