TRANSNATIONAL HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

AND ITS CHALLENGES: A CASE OF INDONESIA

Professor Komaruddin Hidayat, PhDRector of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta Indonesia

INDONESIA is one of the most pluralistic societies in the world with hundred of ethnic and linguistic groups, variety of social systems and religions, and abundant natural resources

Following the downfall of the Suharto regime in 1998, Indonesia experienced political and social turmoil that ushered in the Era Reformasi (reform era). ◦ a rapid transition to democracy and lifting of many political

restrictions◦ a better condition for freedom of expression, the emergence

of a diversity of political forces◦ its nature of democratic character remains weak, unstable

and immature

Inherent in Indonesia case is an internal continuous challenge to maintain its political complexities, socio-ethnic diversities, its cultural uniqueness, its natural resources and its national identity

at the same time to actively take part in the new interconnected global world and civilization in its social, political and economic life.

The broader premise that understanding THRD as a new model of skilled human mobility cannot be reduced simply to a single explanation from a single discipline of economy or management.

In fact such analysis requires different and various perspectives from disciplines across the social sciences and humanities.

Some basic questions: ◦ What are the opportunities of THRD in Indonesia? ◦ What factors that may contribute to the success of THRD? ◦ What are the main obstacles and challenges to THRD in

Indonesia?

The Challenges of Transnational Human Resource Development (THRD)

Transnational human resource development (THRD) will eventually affect Indonesia.

With its natural resources, its steady and consistent economic performance in many recent years and its huge prospective market, Indonesia would be one of important destination countries for THRD.

Problems Arise due to: ◦ The lack of skilled local human resources will mainly serve

as a catalyst for the incoming of skilled labors to work and operate in the country.

THRD is expected to generate as well sustain and preserve the common goals, good values, intercultural relationship on the one hand

Greater Opportunities of Transnational Human Resource Development

Unplanned THRD would contribute at a larger extend to the gradual change of social life style of local people.

Affecting the formation of hybrid culture both in positive and negative way.

Existing modes of conceptualizing THRD failed to explain the need to satisfy a variety of social and cultural requirements in Indonesia. ◦ THRD has a little impact to the betterment of local

society. ◦ It may create prejudice and trigger such a different

social conflict based on this new socio-economic identity.

Social and Cultural Effects

THRD in Indonesian context should be understood in different levels. ◦ First, in micro level or in the organizational level,

THRD in Indonesia context requires an understanding of the opportunities and risks across national, including politics in national and regional levels.

◦ Second, in macro level, the role of government is crucial in shaping policies regarding economic activities and THRD.

The Law No. 22, 1999 on Local Government has devolved central government powers and responsibilities to local governments ◦ in administrating all sectors except for security and defense, foreign

policy, monetary and fiscal matters, justice, and religious affairs. ◦ in deciding and conducting the development process in their own

regions including in HRD. The absence of a detailed plan to recruit, train and manage

local human resources, and the absence of clear regulations to simplify its procedures and processes hampered this new regional responsibilities.

Besides this structural problem on qualified human resources, there is such a bias to promote ‘putra daerah’ or local or native inhabitant to take the job or to fill important positions in the office.

THRD and the Challenges of Decentralization

The problem of trans-regional human resources where contest over the ‘insiders’ (putra daerah) and the ‘outsiders’ (those who come from other regions) become a latent threat in some regions.

If regions are not really settled yet with the issue of ‘putra daerah’ vis-à-vis the outsiders, the phenomenon of THRD may sharpen the problem of human resources in some regions.

Overall, regional autonomy or decentralization policy is not merely a matter of regulating the relationship among governance offices or simply a transfer of power from central to local authorities. ◦ It is about regulating the relationship between the government and

the society.

Quality of education is one of main issues in developing human resources in Indonesia in general and in anticipating THRD within the following years. Education quality is closely related to the quality of human resources.

It is the fact that Indonesia human resources is still far from being desirable and below that of the neighboring countries.

Empowering A Break-through Education

Attention on education system that may ease any possible unbridged gap resulted from the unintended consequences of THRD. ◦ One of ways for this is by standardization of education

so the outcomes of those education institutions are not only well trained, but also well prepared for regional (and global) market competition.

Standardization of education does not mean such internationalization or homogenization of education. ◦ allow diversity in understanding local value but at the

same time to adopt global thinking and networking.

Education should ◦ be reoriented not only to the purpose and ideal

function of education to liberate and enable humans, but also to utilize them with skill and expertise for their future.

◦ be strengthened rather than uprooted learners from the local culture and context.

◦ produce the students who are equipped with competencies, and able to work in a system of hybrid competences existing in a multicultural and intercultural environment.

The importance of cooperation of Asian universities in preparing the next Asian generation. ◦ To help prepare scientific-based community but also

produce agent for future strategic policies. ◦ As far as THRD is concerned, cooperation among Asian

universities would improve the production and distribution of skillful next generation with unique strong Asian culture and values.

Universities serve as the main agent for regional changes in economic, social and politics. ◦ It is from the universities inventions and innovations for

human’s better life are initiated.

Fostering democracy in Indonesia particularly in relation with religion (in this stance in Islam as the religion of the majority)◦ The discourse of democracy and Islam in the country

was firstly nurtured in Islamic universities like UIN (State Islamic university).

Democracy may not operate well in Indonesia if religion is neglected. This is due to the fact that religion is important aspect of Indonesian people.

The importance of university in Indonesia in ‘installing’ values system to the society.

UIN Jakarta plays significant role in preventing and eliminating the spread of religious radicalism among Indonesian community.

For many moderate Muslims, not only because religious radicalism is in fact ‘anomalistic’ and ‘abusing’ religion itself, it is also such bad news for investment and development.

UIN Jakarta in particular becomes the agent in disseminating a moderate understanding of Islam in line with future regional and international challenges of economic and social, politics.