In his remarks, Nadiem said that the Kampus Mengajar Program is a program that involves students voluntarily teaching at elementary schools in the 3T areas. "The challenges we face are enormous, especially for elementary students. Most of them have to study at home and cannot play with their friends," said Nadiem.

Nadiem also expressed his high hopes for higher education administrators to facilitate their students in joining this program. He said that the university curriculum should provide the opportunity to undertake studies outside the campus as an implementation of the Merdeka Belajar Policy.

On this occasion, Prof. Ir. Nizam, M.Sc., DIC, PhD, as the Director of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education and Culture, explained students could obtain the various activities and benefits from the program. He said that this program is intended for fifth-semester students and above who come from educational study programs or other study programs. This program is equivalent to 12 Semester Credit Units (SKS), where they will teach six hours a day.

He also said that students would get a tuition fee waiver and coaching fee every month. Continuing his presentation, Nizam mentioned a series of activities to be held starting from registration, selection, debriefing, assignments, withdrawing students and transferring credits in their universities.

Overview of the Kampus Mengajar Program that ITB has Carried Out

In connection with the Merdeka Belajar Policy, Institut Teknologi Bandung has implemented the same program for a long time. Merdeka Belajar reflects several activities, namely student exchanges, internships/work practices, teaching assistance, research projects, humanitarian projects, entrepreneurial activities, independent studies/projects, and thematic KKN. Dr Mohamad Rachmat Sule, one of the Directorates of Non-Regular Education officers, said that ITB undergraduate students could use their right to take Kampus Merdeka Program, equivalent to 20 credits.

"During the pandemic, ITB undergraduate students can do those activities virtually, such as courses provided by partner universities abroad and from the Ministry of Education and Culture," he explained.

In 2020, ITB implemented 13 International Virtual Courses (IVC) programs. This program was attended by hundreds of Indonesian state universities students and international students.

In this year, ITB will provide 35 IVC courses, where each IVC course is a joint program between ITB and at least one foreign university or reputable foreign institution. The IVC courses are hoped can support Merdeka Belajar Policy, especially Kampus Merdeka Program.

Translator: Billy Akbar Prabowo