The Head of the Higher Education Service Institution (LLDIKTI) Region II, Prof. Dr. Iskhaq Iskandar, M.Sc., provided important notes regarding the human resource strength map in private universities.
During the open senate session for the inauguration of Professor Darius Antoni of Indo Global Mandiri University on Thursday (12/2), he expressed his concern about the current number of professors, which is still very small compared to the total number of lecturers.
Data shows that of the approximately 8,800 to 9,000 lecturers under LLDIKTI Region II, there are only 58 active professors remaining. This condition poses a major challenge for all stakeholders to work together to massively improve the quality and academic level of lecturers.
According to Prof. Iskhaq, this challenge is even more apparent considering that around 60 percent of lecturers in his region still hold functional positions as teaching staff and expert assistants. This indicates that there are still many lecturers who do not yet have or even understand their career path to reach the pinnacle of their academic careers.
He said that currently, LLDIKTI Region II continues to encourage lecturers to have a long-term commitment to their profession, considering that the journey to becoming a professor is not an instant process.
“We must realize that academic promotion is not just an administrative matter, but a tangible proof of an educator’s consistency in continuously developing their discipline,” he said.
He also issued a stern warning to those who have just earned their professorship to avoid what he calls the “Toga Syndrome.” This phenomenon occurs when a professor feels they have reached the end of their journey and is reluctant to continue learning, updating their knowledge, or even withdrawing from academic socialization.
He emphasized that a professor actually bears a great responsibility as a role model for lifelong learning. The highest academic title is not the finish line, but the beginning of a greater responsibility to remain inclusive and open to technological developments and new knowledge.
According to him, the academic productivity of a professor must be maintained, especially in carrying out their role as a mentor for young lecturers and students. In addition to intellectual excellence, exemplary character and maintaining academic morality and ethics are absolute requirements that cannot be ignored.
“The authority of a professor does not lie in their long title, but in the extent to which they are able to be a moral compass and source of inspiration for the intellectual growth of those around them,” he concluded. (andhiko ta)
