UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on “Policy Innovation and Internationalization Strategy for Universities in Indonesia” on Wednesday (23/6/2021). The FGD was held online through the Zoom Cloud Meeting platform and invited three speakers. These speakers are the rectors of three universities with legal entity (PTNBH): Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D. (Rector of Universitas Indonesia), Prof. Dr. Dwia Aries Tina Pulubuhu, M.A. (Rector of Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas)), and Prof. Dr. Jamal Wiwoho, S.H., M.Hum. (Rector of UNS), and Irwan Trinugroho, Ph.D. (Director of Partnership, Development, and Internationalization UNS) as moderator.
The Rector of UNS, Prof. Dr. Jamal Wiwoho, mentioned that this FGD aims to provide media to discuss various policy innovations and strategies in developing internationalization programs at universities to improve the university’s reputation at the international level.
In his material, the Rector of Universitas Indonesia (UI), Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D., discussed the issues and challenges faced by universities in the disruption era. Higher education experienced significant changes at local, national, and international levels, such as communication and information technology development, social, economic, and demographic structure changes, and industrial revolution 4.0.
“Therefore, universities are expected to have adaptability, flexibility, and agility in responding to each change,” Prof. Ari Kuncoro explained.
He also explained the steps that can be taken to solve these problems, among other, by increasing the synergy with other universities, industries, and the community; improving the role of higher education in solving the nation and humanity issues; internationalization of teaching, research, and community services; and developing world-class university governance through service digitalization.
The Rector of Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas), Prof. Dr. Dwia Aries Tina Pulubuhu, M.A., shared the Internationalization Program implemented by UNHAS in 2021 to achieve World Class University (WCU) based on QS World University Ranking and QS Asian University Ranking indicators. UNHAS focuses on research, conference, and international publication in the Asian region in strengthening the academic reputation. UNHAS also makes efforts to improve the faculty-student ratio, citation per faculty, and increase international students and teachers.
As the concluding speaker, the Rector of UNS, Prof. Dr. Jamal Wiwoho, S.H., M.Hum., stated that the government, through the Directorate General of Higher Education, has targeted PTNBH Indonesia to be included in the Best 500 Global Universities. Prof. Jamal hoped that UNS could learn from UI and UNHAS in terms of policy and internationalization innovation to achieve World Class University. Humas UNS
Reporter: Dwi Hastuti