As Indonesia's 76th Independence Day Approaches, the First Architect Registration Certificate Has Been Issued

JAKARTA – After Soft Launching of the STRA application on August 12, 2021, the Indonesian Architects Council (DAI) issued the first STRA on August 15, 2021.

Since its establishment in December 2020, DAI has moved quickly to fulfill its main task, which is to issue Architect Registration Certificates (STRA). "After coordinating with various institutions, including the Indonesian Institute of Architects (IAI), the Directorate General of Human Settlements, the Directorate General of Construction Development, the Construction Services Development Board, and the National Public Procurement Agency, on Sunday, August 15, 2021, DAI successfully issued the first 53 STRAs," said Bambang Eryudhawan, chairperson of DAI.

During this transition period, the first action taken by DAI was to conduct the conversion and reactivation program from the previous Architect Expertise Certificates (SKA) to STRA. Bambang Eryudhawan added, "This transition program will only last until the end of 2021. Therefore, DAI urges all SKA holders to promptly undergo conversion or reactivation before the deadline."

"The first 53 STRAs issued are the result of converting or reactivating previous SKAs. Subsequent applications during this transition period are currently undergoing the initial verification and validation (VVA) phase by the DAI Technical Implementation Unit (UPT). After the VVA is completed, DAI will hold a plenary session for final evaluation and assessment," explained Didi Haryadi, Registrar of the DAI Registration Committee. DAI aims to issue at least 5000 STRAs by the end of 2021. In the following years, DAI expects this number to increase significantly, and STRA will soon become the sole proof of competence for Indonesian architects in practicing architecture.

The conversion from Architect Expertise Certificates (SKA) to STRA can be done by all SKA holders whose certificates are still valid. The requirements include: filling out the application form on the online STRA application, paying the administrative fee, completing the Ethics Code Training certificate, and attaching proof of passing the mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD). For SKA holders whose certificates have expired, they can participate in the reactivation program. Reactivation is only available to SKA holders whose certificates expired no later than August 2017 (since the enactment of Law No. 6/2017 on Architects). The requirements for participating in the reactivation program are: completing the application form on the online STRA application, paying the administrative fee, attaching proof of passing the Ethics Code Training, attaching proof of completing the mandatory CPD, and attaching proof of meeting the minimum CPD points.

These requirements can be seen in more detail in DAI Decree No.005 of 2021 concerning Amendments to DAI Decree No.01.002/DAI/VII/2021 concerning Procedures for Issuing STRAs in the Transition Period, as well as Decree of the National Management of the Indonesian Architect's Association No. .188/IAI/KPN/2021 concerning Fulfillment of Additional Requirements in the Issuance of STRA Reactivation and Conversion Process of SKA into STRA During the Transition Period.

In this initial phase, DAI continues to coordinate and synchronize with UPT DAI in 34 provinces. UPT DAI serves as an extension of DAI across Indonesia and acts as the initial verification and validation (VVA) team from the Professional Organization (IAI) authorized to conduct the initial verification and validation process. Regarding this, Steve J. Manahampi, DAI Secretary who oversees the development of the online STRA application infrastructure, stated, “STRA applicants can access the online STRA application system at www.dewanarsitek.id. Currently, there are still technical issues with this online application because it is a new system still in the development and refinement stages. This system is integrated to facilitate cross-agency authority, including IAI and the Indonesian Association of Higher Education in Architecture (APTARI).

"DAI, together with IAI, continues to socialize in 34 provinces to explain how to access the forms, the requirements, and the procedures for applying for STRA. Currently, many incomplete applications are found, which cannot be further processed by DAI," he added. In addition to handling the Conversion and Reactivation process, DAI is currently also developing and building the Architect Competency Exam system. This is being done so that the target of issuing new STRAs through the educational pathway can be achieved by the upcoming September.

Related to this article:

1. DAI Regulation No.2 of 2021 concerning Issuance of STRA
2. DAI Decree No.005 of 2021 concerning Amendments to DAI Decree No.01.002/DAI/VII/2021 concerning Procedures for Issuing STRA During the Transition Period
3. KPN Indonesian Architects Association No.188/IAI/KPN/2021 concerning Fulfillment of Additional Requirements in the Issuance of STRA for the SKA Reactivation and Conversion Process to Become a Transition Period.