UNS — Merdeka Belajar becomes the catalyst of the parahelix ecosystem, which connects universities with the real world, shifting the universities as a fresh spring for the industrial world, community, and the state’s development. This was delivered by the Director-General of Higher Education Kemendikbud, Prof. Ir. Nizam, M.Sc., DIC, Ph.D., in his scientific oration for the 24th Anniversary of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science (FMIPA) UNS, Thursday (1/10/2020). The oration was delivered virtually and attended by lecturers, students, academic support staff, and University leaders.
“The spirit of Merdeka Belajar is needed to nurture the creativity of a superior generation, nurture the creativity of a superior generation, opening learning space for students, and bridging the university with the real world or industry,” Prof. Nizam explains.
Further, Prof. Nizam mentioned that the lecturer can be described as co-pilot, while students are the pilot. Therefore, students are expected to be more ready in determining and designing their future. In this case, knowledge is needed outside the study program and even outside the campus. Therefore, it is expected that even though they are still a student they can directly involve in the working world, bureaucrats, as well as community. There are activities available in their home universities such as internship programs to a company, non-profit organizations, multilateral organizations, governmental institutions, or even start-up companies. The social project also available to assist the community in a rural region or remote area, to develop community economics, infrastructure, and others. Meanwhile, activities in an external university must be supervised by a lecturer, with aims to achieve the expected competencies.
Additionally, Prof. Nizam explains that there are aspects that support the Merdeka Belajar Program such as the development of a contextual national insight, leadership development where lecturers act as co-pilot and students as a pilot, and intelligence aspect, where students understand their rights and obligations to the nation and state. Entrepreneur mindset is also important, where students are required to have a solutional mindset, ready to accept the challenge and dare to try and dare to fail to then rise again. There is no stopping point in learning, which means being a long-live learner.
To be a Kampus Merdeka Belajar requires a conducive environment. The aspect of creating a conducive environment is a comfortable campus, characterized by an inclusive and disabled-friendly campus, a safe campus that is free from bullying and sexual harassment. The Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, also delivers an opening remark in the Scientific Oration for the FMIPA UNS 24th Anniversary. The remark was delivered by the Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ir. Ahmad Yunus, M.S., mentioning that the FMIPA UNS has become the main supporter in UNS ranking. This is proven with the percentage of lecturers with Doctoral degrees that reach 53 percent. “FMIPA holds the highest contribution in University ranking,” Prof. Yunus said.
On this occasion, the Dean of FMIPA UNS delivers the FMIPA UNS performance achievements in 2020 with 40 grants out of 103 Student Creativity Program Grants (PKM) at the national level and receiving the 1st place at the university level. Other than that, FMIPA UNS produces 3 industrial prototypes, 5 publications in reputable national journals, and 1 (one) publication in an international reputable journal. Humas UNS