Controversial Doctoral Degree Case

Students must take education before getting a bachelor's degree from campus. (Illustration Freepik.com)

A doctorate is the pinnacle in the academic world. It is a symbol of long struggle, mastery of knowledge, and real contribution to knowledge. However, what if the symbol loses its meaning? In Indonesia, a doctorate is now often the subject of suspicion, not pride. The controversy involving Bahlil Lahadalia—Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources and General Chair of the Golkar Party—is one example.

In November 2024, shocking news came from the University of Indonesia (UI). The Board of Trustees (MWA) decided to suspend Bahlil's doctoral degree graduation. Previously, he had been declared a graduate. The reason was that Bahlil was considered not to have fulfilled Rector Regulation Number 26 of 2022, which requires students in research-based doctoral programs to complete at least four semesters before the promotion exam.

Bahlil's dissertation was published in a journal that was suspected of being predatory. In the academic world, this term refers to journals that offer instant publication without a strict peer-review process. Although Bahlil later republished his work in reputable journals such as Scopus and SINTA 2, this was not enough to erase the initial traces that tarnished his credibility. This issue raises a big question: Are academic standards being ignored in pursuit of a degree?

Predatory journals are a tempting option for those who want to complete their studies without going through a rigorous process. However, behind this convenience there is a high price: loss of trust. Imagine a prestigious university, even the best one, having to bear the stigma of being negligent in verifying doctoral student publications. If supervision of journals like this is not tightened, shortcuts will continue to be an option, and academic standards will become just a formality.

The controversy does not stop at predatory journals. The accusation that Bahlil Lahadalia's dissertation involved "academic jockeys" further muddied the situation. The Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM), which was the main source in the study, expressed objections. They revealed that other researchers from the University of Indonesia allegedly assisted with interviews during the research process. If this accusation is true, how can the dissertation be considered an individual work?

A dissertation is the highest test for a doctoral candidate. It must reflect original, independent thinking, and accountable methodology. In this case, the dissertation is more like the result of an opaque collaboration than individual work. This is not just Bahlil's problem, but a reflection of an academic culture that sacrifices integrity for instant results.

This phenomenon reflects a permissive culture that has taken root in higher education in Indonesia. The pressure to graduate quickly, the obsession with degrees, and the lack of supervision create loopholes for cheating practices. Universities, which should be bastions of integrity, often ignore basic academic principles. If this culture continues, it will not only be individuals like Bahlil who will be in the spotlight, but the entire higher education system.

The Bahlil Lahadalia case is not a personal problem. It reflects a systemic failure that threatens Indonesia's academic reputation. At the global level, universities connected to predatory journals will lose credibility. In the digital era, reputation is everything. Imagine a talented young researcher who has to bear the stigma simply because of their affiliation with an institution that is considered permissive of ethical violations. This is not just a matter of the university's good name, but the future of Indonesian academics.

It may seem normative and always repetitive, but the government and universities must immediately reorganize the higher education system. Independent audits must be carried out to ensure that every dissertation is the result of original work. Universities also need to use technology to verify the credibility of the journals where students publish their research. Enforcement of the rules must be stricter, including revoking academic degrees if violations are found. In addition, academic ethics must be strengthened to instill honesty values ​​among students and lecturers. A doctorate should be a symbol of intellectual struggle, not just an empty formality. Without integrity, this title loses its meaning.

Interestingly, in the midst of this controversy, netizens played an important role. Through social media, they revealed irregularities that were missed by academic institutions. In the era of open information, transparency is no longer the exclusive domain of institutions, but also of society. However, if this can happen to a public figure like Bahlil Lahadalia, what about those who are not famous or not in the spotlight? How many similar cases have escaped attention?