Friski Riana, Jakarta – The Jakarta State University (UNJ) lecturers alliance on Friday demands for campus officials to cancel granting the honorary title to Vice President Ma'ruf Amin and State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) minister Erick Thohir.

The association views that granting of Doctor Honoris Causa title to a figure in power or holds a public position can potentially threaten the academic freedom and autonomy of universities.

"It can potentially threaten academic freedom and autonomy on campuses," the UNJ lecturers alliance member Ubedilah Badrun said in a written statement on Friday, Sept. 4.

He argues that the title-granting has, so far, been contained with political and transactional motives and that handing titles to state officials is counterproductive towards UNJ, which is still battling with recovering its name due to numerous negative coverage in the past.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1382707/unj-lecturers-alliance-against-handing-titles-to-state-officials