UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta received an opportunity to host the Webinar of the Academic Senate (MSA) of Autonomous Universities (PTNBH) on Saturday (26/2/2022). The webinar on “Strengthening MBKM with Innovation and SMART” was held hybrid from UNS Inn Surakarta and Zoom Cloud Meeting. The webinar was opened with Indonesia’s national anthem, Indonesia Raya, Gambyong Dance performance from Badan Koordinasi Kesenian Tradisional (BKKT) UNS, and prayers from Vice-Rector for Planning, Partnership, Business, and Information Affairs, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Sajidan, M.Si., Ph.D.
The webinar was also attended by the Rector of UNS, Prof. Dr. Jamal Wiwoho, S.H., M.Hum., Chairman MSA PTNBH Prof. Dr. dr. Djoko Santosa, Sp.PD. K-GH., FINASIM, Chairman of UNS Academic Senate Prof. Dr. Adi Sulistiyono, S.H., M.H., and Secretary of UNS Academic Senate Prof. Ir. Ari Handono Ramelan, M.Sc.(Hon), Ph.D., and other rectors or vice-rectors, such as Vice-Rector for Education, Teaching, and Student Affairs Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Prof. Dr. Ir. Djagal Wiseso Marseno, M.Agr., Vice-Rector for Academic and Student Affairs Universitas Airlangga Prof. Dr. drh. Bambang Sektiari Lukiswanto, DEA., Chairman, Secretary, and members of Academic Senate PTNBH Indonesia, and Chairman of APINDO Dr. Suprayitno, M.M.
Prof. Jamal Wiwoho welcomed all invited guests who attended the webinar offline and online. In his remark, Prof. Jamal stated that all universities had implemented Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program as a mandate and autonomy for universities in preparing their students and graduates to develop advanced competencies aligned with technological development. Prof. Jamal added that creative and innovative learning is needed to ensure that students have attitude, knowledge, and skills aspects of learning. “Adaptability and the ability to respond towards all changes are the competencies that determine a nation’s competitiveness,” Prof. Jamal Wiwoho stated.
Prof. Jamal also mentioned that the eight activities in MBKM could build relevant competencies that connect the business, industry, and workplace for university students. “We greatly hope that this webinar could provide a means for sharing sessions and guidelines among the PTNBH,” Prof. Jamal added. The remark from Prof. Jamal was soon followed by an opening remark from Prof. Adi Sulistiyono, the Chairman of Academic Senate UNS and managing committee, who stated that the webinar aims to provide an active contribution from MSA in supporting MBKM. The webinar will attempt to evaluate and provide recommendations for MBKM implementation. Prof. Adi also emphasized that MBKM aims to encourage students to master various knowledge outside their program to equip them in entering the workplace and business world. MBKM is an ideal learning model that requires synergy among universities, government, industry, community, and media.
According to Prof. Adi, MBKM implementation in the last two years has encouraged universities to be more adaptive and flexible, allowing students to study their program in depth, and enrich skills relevant to their program. MBKM model also encourages teachers to improve their competencies to elaborate theories, find new theories, and write scientific publications. However, the program still faces numerous challenges in its preparation process, implementation, and evaluation. “There are different perceptions at the national level regarding the concept and implementation of MBKM,” Prof. Adi state. “This is because MBKM has not been introduced well to all lines of universities, teachers, academic staff, and students.”
The last remark from Vice-Chairman of MSA PTNBH, Prof. Dr. Sulistiowati, S.H., M.Hum., through online media, emphasized the importance of MBKM implementation for universities to shape smart, leading, competitive, adaptive, flexible, productive, and competitive graduates with characters based on Pancasila. In the remark, Prof. Dr. Sulistiowati also stated that the webinar is essential to provide positive contribution and knowledge sharing among the PTNBH universities in creating the best graduates who are ready to face the global job market that demands students to master multidisciplinary skills. “Also, the need to have a practical skill,” she added.
The remarks were followed by material sharing by the speakers, including the Director-General of Higher Education, Prof. Ir. Nizam, M.Sc., DIC., Ph.D., who delivered the first material in the webinar, followed by a discussion and conclusion. Humas UNS
Reporter: Rangga P.A.
Editor: Dwi Hastuti