UNS – The Alumni Association (IKA) of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held a Webinar entitled Wedangan (hanging out while enjoying wedang/beverages) IKA UNS. This event is held through Zoom Meeting on Wednesday (20/5/2020). This aims to convey ideas regarding the new concepts in social life with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This time raising up the theme ‘The New Normal & Mega Shifting’.
The Webinar led by Dr. Soeprayitno, a Commissioner in the National Social Security Board (DJSN), also invites six prominent alumni of UNS from various class as its speaker. The invited speakers are Prof. Sajidan (UNS Vice Rector for Partnership and Planning Affairs), Ir. Suroto (Director of PT. Hutama Karya), Yossi Istanto, M.Hum., (Director of BTN Bank), Prof. Hartono (the Director of UNS Hospital), Dr. Heru Tjahjono (Regional Secretary for Jawa Timur Province), and Prof. Teguh Supriyanto (Professor of FBS in UNNES). This event is attended by 200 active participants as well as the Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, who opens the Webinar.
Each speaker delivers material on a different topic in line with their expertise. Prof. Sajidan explains that there is a shift in the education field, as well as soft skills needed to compete in industrial revolution 4.0 in the midst of the pandemic.
“Currently there are 5 soft skills required for the students, namely creativity, persuasion, collaboration, adaptation, and time management. Not only soft skills but also a hard skill that can support the soft skills,” explains Prof. Sajidan.
The concept of ‘new normal’ is marked by many things such as physical distancing, staying at home and doing hobbies, online shopping, empathy and solidarity from home, and virtual worship.
“Now, everything can be done from home through application, concert, or many fundraisings. The most current one is online worship such as Tarawih, even Eid prayers are also planned to be done at home,” he said.
The pandemic also changes the lecturing practice from face to face into the online lectures. He also added that not only lectures, but also graduation ceremony, Professor inauguration, and seminar are conducted online. Therefore, innovation in long-distance learning is needed in order to welcome the new normal concept.
“The challenge is to develop online learning that does not spend a huge amount of quota. Although it has been done through synchronous and asynchronous methods, it still requires internet quota,” he said.
Not only in education, but a shift in social life also faces the same condition. This was mentioned by the Regional Secretary of the Jawa Timur Province, Dr. Heru Tjahjono. He mentions that the public currently is facing uncertainty because the epidemic cannot yet be predicted to end. Changes in society are also quite large, especially in technology.
“Today, the industrial revolution 4.0 is accelerated because of COVID-19. For instance, rural communities inevitably have to use the internet to support online learning activities. The public must be familiar with the internet as one of the main points within the new normal concept,” he said.
Aside from the industrial revolution 4.0, there are several matters or changes that need to be implemented by the community, namely the changes in mindset, behavior, and positive emotions.
“Change in mindset is implemented by accepting the current condition because we still do not know when this outbreak will end. Change in behavior can be seen in online lectures or schooling, graduation, seminar, and many others. Moreover, we need to have a positive emotion because it affects our health condition,” explains Dr. Heru.
The Webinar that was held at 20.00 WIB, went smoothly and interactively. One of the participants, Drs. Ranto was asking about the breakthroughs that can be made in vocational education within the concept of the new normal. This question was answered directly by Prof. Sajidan by explaining that higher education institutions can prepare a curriculum that is applicable during this condition. Moreover, currently, the government is also promoting ‘Kampus Merdeka’ and ‘Merdeka Belajar’ program, which facilitates students to explore more on their knowledge.
“Related to vocational education, the innovation that can be made is by implementing virtual learning or direct learning, by considering the applicable health protocol. Virtual learning can be done by video screening on practice activity; thus, the students can understand the concept of the practice. Afterward, the practice can be implemented directly, following the protocol. For example, the number of students is limited, must use PPE, and so forth,” explains Prof. Sajidan.
The New Normal concept needs to be prepared by many parties, new innovations are needed in order to make the community life can go smoothly as before the pandemic. Humas UNS/Bayu