Reportase.one, Jakarta – RevoU, an online education platform in Indonesia, conducted data research regarding college majors with the largest student growth during the Covid-19 pandemic. Taking samples from the 10 best universities in Indonesia, this research was conducted to show the other side of higher education institutions which has been affected by the pandemic.
The data studied were the number of students, type of study program, and level of education. Data was taken from the Ministry of Education from 2019 – 2021 with undergraduate and masters education levels. The last data was taken on November 18, 2022.
Data for the 10 best universities in Indonesia were taken from the 2023 QS World University Rankings because they have a ranking methodology with specific criteria such as academic reputation, ratio of lecturers to students, employer reputation, to the results of scientific journals published by campuses within five years.
Following are the findings from the study:
1. Distance learning is increasing in demand
One of the main findings was that the Industrial Engineering distance learning (PJJ) department at Binus University experienced the highest growth of 290 percent. The total growth of students is 359 people, from 124 students in 2020 to 483 students in 2021.
The pandemic has turned the entire higher education learning process online, this condition has resulted in increased interest in special distance learning majors. In addition to the flexibility of time and place, the fees offered by PJJ courses are more affordable than face-to-face courses.
2. Growing interest in niche majors
During the pandemic, there has been an increase in interest in niche majors or majors that have a small and specific target market.
Several niche majors that have an increase in the number of students are the Library and Information Science Department of Padjadjaran University (Unpad) with 80 percent, Aquaculture University of Brawijaya (UB) with 76 percent, and Development Studies of the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) with 57 percent.
3. Interests in science and non-science majors are almost equal
Based on research data, there are 29 science majors and 21 non-science majors with a percentage of 58 percent and 42 percent respectively with a difference of 16 percent. This condition shows that students’ competitiveness and interest in science and non-science-based majors are almost equal.
4. Increase in interest in master’s education
Of the 10 universities, only three universities have the highest growth in the number of students in master study programs, namely Gadjah Mada University (UGM), University of Indonesia (UI), and Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).
UGM has increased the number of students in the UGM Law Masters study program by 30 percent, from 122 students in 2020 to 158 students in 2021. UI has increased the number of students in the accounting masters study program by 28 percent, from 362 students in 2020 to 463 students in 2021 .
Meanwhile, ITB has increased the number of students in the informatics master study program by 50 percent, from 123 students in 2020 to 184 students in 2021.
5. Increase in health and science study program enthusiasts
Airlangga University (Unair) and Diponegoro University (Undip) have the majority of the increase in students in health and science-based study programs, such as public health, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, nutrition, biotechnology, chemistry, and nursing.
The majors with the highest student gains were also related to health or science studies. The Undip Biotechnology Study Program has increased by 38 percent, from 227 students in 2020 to 313 students in 2021. Meanwhile, the Unair Public Health Study Program has increased by 33 percent, from 157 students in 2020 to 209 in 2021.
6. Science-based business majors
The Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) business major with a science background is one of the favorite majors for prospective students. At the IPB Business School, business study programs focus on business in the agricultural, marine and tropical biosciences sectors.
The increase in the number of students majoring in business at IPB has increased by 23 percent from 2020 – 2021. There will be 488 students in 2020 and 599 in 2021.
7. Students’ interests are leaning toward undergraduate studies
Looking at a total of 50 majors with the highest student growth in the 10 best universities in Indonesia based on QS WUR 2023, undergraduate education is still the main interest of students in Indonesia compared to masters. The 50 majors consist of 37 undergraduate majors and 13 masters majors.
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source: tekno.tempo.co
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