Mataram, University of Mataram – Workshop of IKU 8 with the theme “Achieving Excellent and International Accreditation” was held by the Independent Campus Learning Implementation Unit and the Main Performance Indicators of the University of Mataram (UP MBKM-IKU Unram) at the Lombok Astoria Hotel on Friday (3/22). The event aims to improve the quality of education and preparation in achieving superior accreditation.

In his speech, the Rector of Unram, Prof. Ir. Bambang Hari Kusumo, M.Agr.St., Ph.D., highlighted the importance of improving the quality of education as an attempt to compete at the international level. “If the quality of education increases, the quality of graduates will also increase. Therefore, we can compete at the international level,” he said.

The Rector of Unram also emphasized the importance of the values of honesty and discipline in the education process. He explained that Unram’s UP Accreditation and UP MBKM-IKU had received significant funding to improve the quality of study programs (prodi), from initially having no superior accreditation to having five superior ones. “One by one, study programs will be carefully prepared for accreditation to become superior. We continue to improve good accreditation, don’t be quick to be satisfied,” he added.
The workshop presented Prof. Ari Purbayanto, Ph.D. as the Director of the BAN-PT Executive Board. He delivered a presentation on the Implementation of Permendikbudikristek 53/2023 and Strategies for Achieving Superior APT, and highlighted the importance of strategies in achieving superior accreditation.

“Accreditation is very important to determine the eligibility of higher education on the basis of criteria that refer to SN Dikti. However, the challenge of higher education quality today is the gap in higher education quality caused by the low level of understanding, awareness, and responsibility of SPMI,” explained Prof. Ari.

In the 2023 BAN-PT data related to university accreditation rankings, there are still 1328 universities that are not accredited. Meanwhile, those accredited as superior totaled 84 universities, 327 universities accredited as excellent, 1991 universities accredited as good, 27 universities accredited as A, 652 universities accredited as B, and 15 universities accredited as C.

Prof. Ari also conveyed the criteria for assessing the quality of higher education consisting of Quality Culture, namely the effectiveness of the SMPI (Internal Quality Assurance System) function and the growth of a sustainable quality culture. Second, the Relevance of Tridharma, which involves educational services according to the needs of society and industry, research according to the strategic goals of scientific development, based on the community and industry needs, and PKM programs based on the development of expertise and institutional capacity in responding to the challenges / needs of society and industry.

The third criteria is accountability, which relates to upholding the principles of GuG and integrity. The fourth is the differentiation of mission, which is the determination of focus that is carried out consistently.

Prof. Ari also explained the right strategy in achieving superior Higher Education Accreditation (APT).

“The strategy for achieving superior APT includes the support of adequate learning facilities and infrastructure, lecturers who have superior qualifications and competencies, an educational curriculum that is continuously updated in accordance with industry and labor market needs, a well-running internal quality assurance system (SPMI), strict student selection and maintaining continuity, the availability of adequate learning resources and materials, and the implementation of education that guarantees graduates on time and can be absorbed by the world of work,” he explained.