UNS — The Chairman of the Council of Rector of Indonesian State University (CRISU) and the Rector of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, shared UNS experience in opening the face-to-face learning process (PTM) on Monday (6/9/2021). The sharing session was conducted when Prof. Jamal served as the speaker in Merdeka Belajar silaturahim “University Readiness with Limited PTM” held by the Kemdikbudristek RI on Thursday (23/9/2021).
Prof. Jamal stated that UNS decided to open PTM because Surakarta has PPKM level 3, and UNS received a permit from Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming. He also added that PTM is also opened because 99% of Solo people have been vaccinated against Covid-19. “While for UNS teachers and academic staff, 100% (has been vaccinated) and especially students in Solo also have been vaccinated,” Prof. Jamal explained.
UNS readiness to open PTM is also supported by the facilities and infrastructure in the campus, including the classroom, sanitation, and cleaning facilities that have met the health protocols for Covid-19. UNS implemented tight health protocols that include stricter body temperature checks for all students and staff before entering the campus ground and classroom, providing hand sanitizer and disinfectant processes in the learning facilities regularly.
On this occasion, Prof. Jamal also shared that UNS courage to hold PTM is due to the concern over students’ learning loss. Prof. Jamal does not want students of 2020 batch to become a stranger for their campus, and he understands that students miss learning in their campus. Therefore, UNS prioritizes batch 2020 to participate in the odd semester PTM and opens the laboratory for students in the final years to conduct their practice. Prof. Jamal also added that once Surakarta PPKM level drops to level 2 or 1, UNS will open offline defense for undergraduate and master thesis and dissertation. “We will consider increasing participation from 30% to 40% to 50% and so forth, following the decrease (in the PPKM level) and can return to normal,” he said.
Public University Rectors are Encouraged to Open PTM
Prof. Jamal stated that CRISU had asked universities in regions with PPKM 1 to 3 to open PTM. However, the final decision to conduct offline learning falls under each university’s Rector. For those public universities that consider opening their PTM, Prof. Jamal reminded that the process should strictly follow the conditional and gradual principles. This means students must obtain a permit from their parents, be vaccinated against Covid-19 at least first dose, and have no comorbidities. The process should also be limited to 30% of the normal capacity. After the condition improves, it is possible for universities to increase the percentage of students who could participate in the PTM.
“Hopefully, PTM does not create a new cluster of COvid-19 spread. If it is proved that PTM creates a new cluster, then PTM needs to be stopped, and tracing should be conducted,” Prof. Jamal concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Yefta Christopherus AS
Editor: Dwi Hastuti