In recent days, Indonesia has witnessed an uprising that cuts to the core of our educational system. Students from universities nationwide have taken to the streets, demanding not just government transparency but also a say in how their tuition fees are set.

Students argue that the quality of higher education has stagnated even as fees soar, making their outrage not just understandable but inevitable.

The protests reveal a fundamental issue, the financial sustainability of public universities in Indonesia. Law No. 12/2012 on higher education was supposed to be a beacon of independence, encouraging universities to find their own funding and reduce reliance on government support. However, this shift has proven to be a double-edged sword, as universities struggle to balance their academic mission with the demands for a more entrepreneurial model.

Unlike state-owned enterprises (SOEs) adept at navigating competitive markets and diversifying income streams, universities have historically focused on education and research. While the state expects public universities to be more independent in funding, this lack of business acumen presents a formidable challenge as they attempt to generate revenue without compromising their core values.

The state's financial support has not kept pace with the rising costs of education, from faculty salaries to infrastructure maintenance and technological advancements. This financial gap has left universities scrambling for alternative revenue streams, leading to some creative but imperfect solutions.

Take Bogor Agriculture University's (IPB) Botani Square, for example. This commercial venture was designed to generate revenue while creating a community hub. While innovative, it underscores the limitations of relying on commercial enterprises to sustain educational institutions. As the economic landscape shifts, such models reveal their fragility.