The Adoption of a Laboratory-Based Education Model as the Foundation of a Research University: Relevance to a University in Indonesia

Abstract

The Laboratory-Based Education (LBE) model has been implemented by the majority of universities in Japan and has been proved to generate research, patents, and publications both nationally and internationally. Another indicator of success in Japanese LBE is seen in the independent research skills of the students. Data collected through this study shows that the Indonesian university under study (referred to as the ‘research object’), still experiences a number of problems commonly faced by higher education in Indonesia; for instance, the low number of students who graduate on time, and the lack of research and research publications. These issues can be a barrier to achieving world class recognition and also influence the accreditation of the institution. This paper presents a revised layout of the environment in the research object which it is believed will help in the implementation of LBE. Changing the layout of laboratories to support LBE can accommodate the needs of final year students and assist them to focus on their final project. Benefits for academics include increased opportunities to generate publications and patents from projects with their students.