Mataram, University of Mataram – World Class University Acceleration Unit of University of Mataram (UP UBD Unram) held a Workshop on Acceleration of Achievement of World Class Universities at the Senate Conference Room, Rectorate of Unram on Thursday, October 10, 2024. This workshop is the first step of UP UBD to encourage Unram to reach the international level and improve its ranking in various world rankings.

In his remarks, Prof. Dr. dr. Hamsu Kadriyan, SpTHT-KL., Sub.Sp. Onk(K)., M.Kes as the Head of UP UBD emphasized the importance of collaboration and learning from other universities that have already achieved international status. “World Class University is still a new thing for us, so this workshop is important in order to learn together,” said Prof. Hamsu.

Despite Unram’s ranking in the QS World University Ranking and THE Impact Ranking, Prof. Hamsu emphasized that Unram’s position is still at a level that requires a lot of improvement and enhancement.

“We have to work harder in order to step up and jump further. We must work together to reach a higher level,” he added.

Prof. Hamsu also highlighted the great potential of Unram in terms of lecturers, professors, and alumni who have been recognized globally, “It’s all about how we document and optimize these achievements so that they can be seen in the international level.”

Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of Unram, Prof. Dr. Sitti Hilyana, M.Si, also gave her perspective regarding Unram’s big dream of becoming a world-class university. “This is in line with the 2025 Long Term Development Plan (RPJP) and the last RPJM which targets the internationalization of Unram,” she said. Prof. Nana.

Prof. Nana further added that one of the main aspects that must be improved is the quality of education, especially from the curriculum aspect. Currently LPMPP is designing both national and international class curricula. Unram already has 16 international classes consisting of 14 undergraduate programs and 2 Masters programs with the target of developing more international classes to be opened in the future.

Prof. Nana further mentioned that more creative and innovative learning methods need to be designed to face the international market. “In addition, we must also expand the research locus not only in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), but also in the Asia Pacific so that the locus is expanded which is synergized with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which will intersect with international rankings,” concluded Prof. Nana.

Unram Rector, Prof. Ir. Bambang Hari Kusumo, M.Agr.St., Ph.D. in his speech said that the aspiration towards a World Class University is a mandate from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology. “When I was mandated to become Rector, the first message given was to accelerate towards PTN-BH,” he said.

Prof. Bambang further said that then thinks hard what program will be developed as the main program that brings Unram forward. So from the results of the analysis, Unram’s Main Performance Indicators (IKU) need serious attention so that UP MBKM-IKU was formed which has succeeded in bringing Unram from the initial ranking of 27 managed to jump higher in 2023 and successfully climbed to the 3rd rank of IKU.

Another big challenge is accreditation and increasing income beyond UKT which is a requirement towards PTN-BH.

“The requirements to become a PTN BH are accreditation and income must be at least 30-40 percent outside UKT. Other parts of Unram are excellent, for example in financial performance, research and so on, but what we are falling on is accreditation and income. For this reason, we formed the Accreditation Acceleration Unit and the Unit for Accelerating the Transformation of PTN BLU into PTN BH, in order to achieve the target of superior accreditation and PTN-BH,” said Prof. Bambang.

The Rector of Unram explained that these four programs continue to be encouraged so that Unram in the not-so-distant future can achieve all the targets including IKU, Superior Accreditation, PTN BH and World Class University.

This workshop was filled with several important presentations, such as:

1. Exposure of Achievements and Challenges of QS World University Ranking by Prof. Muhammad Ali, S.Pt., M.Si., Ph.D. and Diyah Indiyati, S.Sos., M.Si.

2. Presentation of Achievements and Challenges of THE Impact Ranking by Cahyo Mustiko Okta Muvianto, S.T. M.Sc., Ph.D.

3. QS WUR and THE Impact Ranking forms for Academic Reputation and Employer Reputation, as well as the preparation of a work program timeline (2024-2025) led by Baiq Rien Handayani, SP., M.Si., Ph.D..

4. Preparation of Unram SWOT Analysis in UBD Ranking by Prof. Dr. dr. Hamsu Kadriyan, SpTHT-KL., Sub.Sp. Onk(K)., M.Kes.

This workshop ended with a question and answer session and was closed with preparations for further Technical Guidance (Bimtek). With synergy and commitment from all elements, Unram is optimistic that it can achieve the target of a world-class university and continue to increase its contribution at the global level.