The COVID-19 pandemic pushed higher education into a digital revolution overnight. For many universities across Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, the shift to online learning was less of an innovation and more of a survival move. While students quickly adapted to new platforms, the long-term impact goes beyond tech—it's about what they lost socially and politically in the process.
Hybrid Learning: A Partial Fix in an Ill-Prepared System
Online classes during the pandemic were a necessity, not a choice. When campuses reopened, many institutions implemented hybrid models blending online and offline learning. But rather than redesigning the learning experience, many universities simply copied old methods into new formats. The result? A hybrid system that favors administrative convenience over true student engagement.
Psychological Fatigue That’s Still Overlooked
According to a 2023 ASEAN University Network survey, over 64% of students reported burnout due to prolonged online learning. But this isn't just a tech issue; it signals a deeper motivational crisis. With fewer live interactions, learning began to feel mechanical, not collaborative. The emotional disconnect grew even as internet connections improved.
Digital Inequality Still Widens the Gap
While digital tools promised access, the reality is far from equal. Students in rural or underdeveloped areas, especially in Eastern Indonesia, often struggle with unstable connections and outdated devices. Education became a race with unequal starting lines. And yet, policies often assumed all students could “catch up” on their own.
While Indonesia’s experience is striking, similar trends echo across Southeast Asia—from Thailand’s struggling rural connectivity to Viet Nam’s rigid online attendance systems. The regional higher education system, often praised for its resilience, also risks producing a generation that is academically functional, but socially adrift.
Campus Organizations: From Social Hubs to Ghost Towns
Student organizations used to be the heart of university life spaces for leadership, creativity, activism, and connection. During the pandemic, those spaces became Zoom rooms, and much of the energy disappeared.
The Pandemic Generation: Disconnected from Campus Culture
Students who began their college journey between 2020 and 2021 often never truly stepped onto campus during their formative first year. Without in-person orientation, community building, or peer mentoring, they missed the crucial foundation for belonging. Today, many feel like outsiders, physically present but socially detached.
Restarting Isn’t Enough—Organizations Need Reinvention
Many student groups resumed their activities after lockdowns lifted. But resuming is not the same as rebuilding. To reconnect with students today, organizations need to rethink their purpose. It’s not just about recruitment or events; it’s about relevance. What kind of space are you creating? Is it emotionally safe? Is it meaningful in a post-pandemic world?
Technology Is a Tool, Not an Excuse
While social media and digital tools can support engagement, they’re often misused as substitutes for real connection. A Canva poster and a Google Form won’t build community. Technology must serve as a bridge, not a barrier; it should bring students into the fold, not just into a meeting link.
Recovering Higher Education Means More Than Reopening Campuses
Post-COVID college students aren’t passive or indifferent; they’re survivors of a chaotic system. They’re digitally fluent but socially starved. The challenge now isn’t just helping them learn again, but helping them belong again. If universities are serious about recovery, they must go beyond classrooms. Rebuilding community, affirming student identity, and redesigning both academic and organizational life are no longer optional; they're essential.
