The management has decided to transform the institute subsidized by the government into a commercial institution. With its new status as a Public Service Institution (BLU), the institute will have independent financial management.

"The management and decision making process, especially in financial management, would be more flexible and efficient. Currently we have to wait for the state budget before realizing a program," IAIN deputy dean Muhammad Sirozi said recently.

"Under the new management, we expect our programs to improve the quality of education will no longer be delayed because of red tape."

The management had initiated the change early in 2008, but controversy in the passing of the new law on education legal bodies caused some delays.

It started afresh following a national convention of university rectors and series of studies on the new status. IAIN Raden Fatah later established a working group to realize it.

"The working group is finishing its paperwork, and will meet with the Finance Ministry and Religious Affairs Ministry. Hopefully this year we can get the BLU certificate and start the new management in the next academic year," Sirozi said.

The new management status, he said, means more responsibilities and intensive monitoring from the state. The income the institute generates and spend will also be audited by the government.

"The institute rector has to be prudent in selecting fund resources and asset management solutions as well as utilizing networks and cooperation with local or international institutions," he said.

"The new status doesn't necessarily mean the commercialization of education or that there will be higher tuition fees. The management, in fact, could find beneficial cooperation may result in lower tuition fees, or scholarships."

With more professional management, only lecturers who perform well will receive benefits, he said.

The status change, Sirozi said, is one step towards reaching a milestone: becoming a state Islamic university.

Currently the Religious Affairs Ministry has only allowed the establishment of six Islamic universities (UIN), pending evaluation. These universities are located in Jakarta, Bandung (West Java), Yogyakarta, Malang (East Java), Makassar (South Sulawesi) and Riau.

"There are chances the government will need more Islamic universities. When the time comes, we will be ready," Sirozi said.

To be qualified as a university, an IAIN has to establish at least one science school and six study programs.

IAIN Raden Fatah already has an economic school focused on Islamic finance or sharia banking; an English literature study program; and an Islamic psychology study program. It also has post-graduate programs.

To meet the requirement, IAIN Raden Fatah is working in cooperation with the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) to open a science and technology school.

A new, bigger campus in Bunga Karang village, 30 kilometers from Palembang, is also on the way to accommodate the extension.

In educational activities, IAIN Raden Fatah has also expanded its network to collaborate with various educational institutions abroad, such as in Malaysia, the US, Turkey and Canada.

Fifteen study rooms of 35 are also been equipped with multimedia facilities such as data projectors and internet connections.

"Lecturers and students can use the facilities for study purposes. All 300 lecturers would undergo training on using the multimedia facilities," Sirozi said.

In response to the institute's status change plan, Students Council chairman Riki Ricardo said they would support the plan as long as the management keeps the process transparent.

"We want to be actively involved in the process, not just sit back and watch but then have to pay more than we did before," he said.

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