KONTROVERSI GELAR HONORIS CAUSA RAFFI AHMAD - [ Metro Siang ]

Summary

The video discusses the controversy surrounding the honorary doctorate awarded to Indonesian artist and entrepreneur Raffi Ahmad by the Institute of Maniland. While he claims to have contributed significantly to the entertainment industry, concerns arise regarding the credibility of the awarding institution, which operates a virtual office in Bekasi and lacks full accreditation for doctoral programs. Educational expert Doni Kusuma critiques the ease with which such degrees are granted, questioning the criteria for exceptional contributions in knowledge or humanitarian efforts. This situation highlights broader issues regarding the integrity of academic honors in Indonesia.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Raffi Ahmad received an honorary doctorate from a university in Thailand for his contributions to the entertainment industry in Indonesia.
• 🏛 The university that awarded the degree has a virtual office in Bekasi and is accredited for distance education.
• 🧐 Controversy surrounds the awarding of honorary degrees, with critics questioning the credibility of institutions that grant them too easily.
• 📊 Educational expert Doni Kusuma emphasizes that honorary degrees should only be given to individuals with significant contributions in knowledge, technology, or humanitarian fields.
• 🔍 There are concerns regarding the criteria for awarding honorary degrees, with calls for more transparency and defined standards.
• 🏙 The virtual office of the university was found to be mostly empty, raising questions about its legitimacy.
• 🗳 Raffi Ahmad has been active in political campaigns at both national and local levels, including for the gubernatorial election in Banten.
• 📱 Raffi announced his honorary doctorate on Instagram, highlighting his decades-long contribution to both conventional and digital entertainment.
• 🌐 Honorary degrees are typically awarded by accredited universities with established doctoral programs, which may not be the case for this university.
• 🤔 The discussion surrounding honorary degrees points to a broader issue of educational credibility and the importance of recognizing genuine academic contributions.

Q & A

What honorary title did Raffi Ahmad recently receive?

Raffi Ahmad received an honorary doctorate, or Dr. honoris causa, from the Universal Institute of Maniland.

What discipline is the honorary doctorate awarded to Raffi Ahmad in?

The honorary doctorate is awarded for his contributions in the discipline of event management and global digital fields.

What reason did Raffi Ahmad give for receiving this honorary title?

Raffi stated that he was recognized for his contributions to the development of the entertainment industry, both conventional and digital, in Indonesia over the years.

What concerns were raised regarding the credibility of the university that awarded the title?

Concerns were raised about the ease with which the university grants honorary degrees and whether it affects the institution's credibility, as it is expected that such honors are given only to individuals with extraordinary contributions in knowledge, technology, or humanitarian fields.

What does the term 'honoris causa' mean?

'Honoris causa' is a Latin term meaning 'for the sake of honor,' often used to confer honorary degrees without the recipient having to fulfill the usual requirements of a doctoral degree.

Where is the campus that awarded the honorary doctorate located?

The campus, Universal Institute of Maniland, has a branch office located in Bekasi, Indonesia.

What was found when Metro TV visited the campus's Bekasi office?

Metro TV found that the Bekasi office was merely a virtual office with a sparse presence, only a few staff members were seen managing the virtual setup.

What are the academic requirements for a university to grant an honorary doctorate in Indonesia?

In Indonesia, universities granting honorary doctorates are expected to have an accreditation status of 'A' and to have a doctoral program in place.

What role has Raffi Ahmad played in recent political campaigns?

Raffi Ahmad has been active in political campaigns at both the national level, such as in presidential elections, and at the local level, like in regional head elections. He is currently part of the campaign team for the gubernatorial candidate of Banten.

What did education observer Doni Kusuma say about the criteria for awarding honorary degrees?

Doni Kusuma noted that the criteria for 'extraordinary contributions' to warrant an honorary degree were not clearly defined in regulations, raising concerns about the legitimacy of such awards.