The involvement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in mandatory orientation for LPDP scholarship recipients, intended to bolster nationalism, has been dismissed by education experts as a “naive, narrow, and illogical approach.”
Totok Amin Soefijanto, an education analyst from Paramadina University, warns that military-style training is more likely to cultivate submissiveness rather than the critical thinking skills required by graduate students. This sentiment is echoed by scholarship recipients like Dian, who questions the relevance of military drills to academic life. According to Dian, students need support in navigating cultural adaptation, managing the pressures of rigorous research, and developing problem-solving skills—not physical regimentation.
Despite these criticisms, Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa and Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto maintain that the program is essential. They argue that military involvement instills values of patriotism and discipline, aiming to prevent recipients from experiencing culture shock and ensuring they remain committed to Indonesia upon completing their studies abroad. Purbaya emphasized that the state’s significant financial investment must be protected by ensuring scholars return to contribute to the nation, rather than working abroad and criticizing their home country.
Starting this year, both master’s and doctoral scholarship recipients are required to attend a week-long orientation at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in East Jakarta. While I Nyoman Suadnyana, Head of the Air Force Information Service, initially mentioned marching drills as part of the curriculum—a claim later downplayed—LPDP officials insist the program will focus on outdoor activities. M. Lukmanul Hakim, Head of Legal and Communications at LPDP, asserts that the location and military facilitators do not change the core mission of the orientation, framing the involvement of TNI personnel as merely logistical support for outdoor activities.
However, many prospective scholars remain skeptical. For students like Dian and Tina, the prospect of military-style boot camps is unsettling. They describe a fear of intimidation and physical exhaustion that feels disconnected from their academic goals. “It feels like they are trying to fix something that isn’t broken,” says Dian. “We are going abroad to study, to discuss, and to think critically. If the government wants to promote nationalism, there are more effective and respectful ways to do so than treating us like military recruits.”
Experts agree that the government’s approach may be misguided. Totok Amin Soefijanto argues that the military environment, characterized by strict hierarchy and command-based communication, is antithetical to the academic culture of inquiry. “The TNI’s version of discipline is about obedience and being a ‘yes man,'” says Totok. “True academic discipline requires checks and balances, critical dialogue, and the ability to challenge ideas.” He also notes that the assumption that staying abroad to build a career is inherently “unpatriotic” is a superficial and flawed perspective.
The controversy has also caught the attention of policymakers. TB Hasanuddin, a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I, has called for a review of the policy. He argues that involving the military in civilian education programs falls outside the scope of the TNI’s primary duties as defined by law. “We must ensure that each state institution operates within its intended mandate,” Hasanuddin stated. He suggests that the government should focus on leveraging the experiences of successful LPDP alumni as mentors, rather than relying on military personnel to teach academic, leadership, and nationalistic values.
Ultimately, the push to integrate the military into scholarship orientations highlights a disconnect between the government’s desire for controlled discipline and the academic community’s call for intellectual freedom. As the program proceeds, the core question remains whether this shift serves the goal of fostering excellence, or if it merely imposes an unnecessary military structure on scholars meant to represent Indonesia on the global stage.
Summary
The Indonesian government has mandated military-style orientation for LPDP scholarship recipients to foster discipline and patriotism. However, education experts and scholars argue that this approach is disconnected from academic needs, potentially stifling the critical thinking skills essential for graduate studies. Critics suggest that the program promotes submissiveness rather than the intellectual inquiry and problem-solving abilities required for international academic success.
Government officials maintain that the initiative ensures scholars remain committed to contributing to Indonesia after completing their education abroad. Conversely, policymakers and analysts have called for a policy review, questioning the appropriateness of involving military personnel in civilian education. They recommend focusing on more effective, academic-based strategies, such as mentorship programs, to support and inspire future scholars.