Types of Higher Education Institutions in Indonesia: Universities, Institutes, Colleges, Polytechnics, and Academies

Basis of the classification

Indonesia's Higher Education Law recognizes several forms of higher education institution: universities (universitas), institutes (institut), colleges (sekolah tinggi), polytechnics (politeknik), academies (akademi), and community academies (akademi komunitas). They differ in the breadth of fields of study and the types of education they offer.

University

Offers academic education, and may also offer vocational and professional education, across many fields of study. Usually divided into faculties led by deans, with a rector as head of the institution.

Institute

Focuses on one particular field of knowledge, such as technology, agriculture, or the arts, and usually also has faculties and is led by a rector.

College (sekolah tinggi)

Offers education in one particular discipline. Usually has no faculties, so study programs sit directly under the head of the institution, called the ketua (chair).

Polytechnic

Offers vocational education in a number of fields. Usually uses departments (jurusan) as the parent unit and is led by a director, with an emphasis on practice and industry partnerships. Health polytechnics emphasize clinical practice in the health sciences.

Academy

Offers vocational education in one or part of a branch of knowledge, generally at the diploma level.

Why does the type matter for information systems?

Structural differences affect terminology and workflows: some use faculties, some use departments, and some go straight to study programs. The head of the institution also differs: rector, chair, or director. A flexible SIAKAD adapts terminology, menus, and documents to the institution type, and limits the available study levels to what is customary.

Kampusin supports universities, institutes, colleges, polytechnics, health polytechnics, and academies. See the explanation on the home page in the "For Every Type of Institution" section.