UNS — The Rector of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Prof. Dr. Jamal Wiwoho, S.H., M.Hum., welcomed the issuance of Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Regulation (Permendikbudristek) No. 53 of 2023 undergraduate (S1) and diploma (D4) students are not required to write a thesis as their final assignment. The regulation provides students with various options for their final assignments as a graduation requirement. The latest regulation was launched by the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, in the “Merdeka Belajar Episode 26: Transformation of National Standards and Higher Education Accreditation” on Tuesday (29/8/2023).
Prof. Jamal expressed that Permendikbudristek No. 53 of 2023 represents a new innovation within the higher education quality assurance system.
“I see that the focus is on tasks related to final assignments, such as theses. In the past, the thesis was a graduation parameter. Now, it doesn’t have to be a thesis; it can be replaced with something else, like prototypes or other assignments determined by the university,” Prof. Jamal explained during an interview at the dr. Prakosa UNS Building on Thursday (31/8/2023).
Furthermore, Prof. Jamal stated that in light of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM — Independent Learning Independent Campus) initiative, the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology’s policy allows universities the space to innovate and be creative. “Universities can innovate to determine what constitutes a student’s assignment, whether at the diploma or undergraduate level,” he added.
Currently, UNS will coordinate with the Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs UNS and the Quality Assurance and Development Institute of Education (LPPMP) UNS to discuss the implementation guidelines for this new policy by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology’s policy. “We welcome this policy and will adjust accordingly. I asked the Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs and LPPMP to provide implementation guidelines or immediately hold meetings promptly to address this matter. This way, there will be uniformity for diploma and undergraduate programs,” he concluded.
HUMAS UNS
Reporter: Dwi Hastuti