North Sumatra University (USU) in Medan plans to open a brand new palm oil program following the announcement of the Education and Culture Ministry's Kampus Merdeka (Freedom Campus) policy, which gives universities across the country greater freedom to establish new programs.

USU rector Runtung Sitepu said the program would be fitting, as North Sumatra was the first region in Sumatra to develop a palm oil industry.

"We are optimistic that the program will attract many potential students," Runtung said on Tuesday.

He added that USU would hold a meeting with industry players, such as the Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association and the Palm Oil Study Center, to help prepare the program.

Runtung said he had taken into account "market needs" before deciding to establish the palm oil program

Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim announced last week that all state and private universities with minimum B-level accreditation that have signed a cooperation agreement with top global universities would have greater autonomy to create new programs. 

The cooperation must be organized with universities that are included on the QS Top 100 World Universities list and cover the formation of curriculum, internship programs and work placement for students.

“All new programs will automatically receive a C accreditation score,” said the minister. (vny)