Gender Profiles of Students´ Academic Activity in The Higher Education In Indonesia: (A Study in The University of Muhammadiyah Malang)

Abstract

This research aimed to describe gender profiles of the academic students´ activity in the higher education in Indonesia. The design of this research was descriptive using a quantitative approach, supported by qualitative approach. This research was conducted in University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), with the heterogeneity of students from all over Indonesia, representing the diversity of cultures. This research was conducted from March to August 2016. Quantitative data were obtained from the documents of the student bureau at UMM in the form of gender education indicators. The interview was conducted to the lecturers and UMM leaders. Qualitative data were in the form of written data, also some supporting sources: books and magazines, official documents from laws and decisions of the government and UMM. UMM has some departments with the unbalanced number of students categorized by sex. Some departments have a higher number of female students, such as: psychology, nursing, English language education, etc. Whereas, some departments have a higher number of male students, such as: engineering, medical science, law, etc. A selection based on sex is still very visible. Women mostly choose study fields according to public perception by nature; while men mostly choose study fields according to their gender.