Singaraja- Ganesha University of Education (Undiksha) has strengthened the implementation of eight applied undergraduate study programs whose permits have just been issued by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek). This study program is expected to produce superior and competitive graduates. One way to strengthen this is through public lectures that present the Director General of Vocational Studies at the Ministry of Education and Culture for 2020-2022, Wikan Sakarinto, Ph.D., as a resource person.
The eight study programs that Undiksha recently opened are D4 Software Engineering Technology, D4 Electronic Systems Engineering Technology, D4 Applied Chemistry, D4 Fisheries Biotechnology, D4 Remote Sensing Engineering Technology, D4 Hospitality Management, D4 Public Sector Accounting, and D4 English for Business Communication and Professional. The permit to open the study program is stated in the Decree of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Number 140/D/OT/2022.
In the public lecture which took place offline, Wikan Sakarinto expressed his appreciation to Undiksha for proposing an increase in the grade of the Diploma III study program to an Applied Bachelor (D4). This proposal is an effort to produce students and graduates who have complete and superior competence.
He explained that the implementation of this study program needs to be supported by eight aspects that need attention, which he calls Link and Match 8+i. First, the curriculum is arranged together, including strengthening aspects of soft skills and work character to complete aspects of hard skills that meet the needs of the world of work. In this case, soft skill what is meant is how graduates can face pressure in the world of work, can work in teams, have good communication skills, and have initiative. Second, based learning projects the real world of work to be sure of hard skills and accompanied by soft skills and strong character. Third, the number and role of lecturers/instructors from the industry and experts from the world of work.Fourth, apprenticeship or work practice in the world of work.Fifth, competency certification according to the standards and needs of the world of work. Sixth, lecturers/instructors routinely get updated technology and training from the world of work. Seventh, applied research supports the teaching factory/teaching industry which starts from real cases or needs in industry/society. Eighth, commitment to the absorption of graduates by the world of work. “Implementation of link and match 8 + i vocational higher education also helps achieve IKU in tertiary institutions,” he said.
Undiksha Deputy Chancellor for Academic and Cooperation Affairs, Dr. I Gede Rasben Dantes, S.T., M.T.I., who opened the public lecture on behalf of the Chancellor, said that the implementation of the applied undergraduate program is an effort to produce students and graduates who have complete and superior competence. Not only hard skills but also soft skills, teamwork, leadership, as well as a strong and creative character. In addition, graduates are also ready to adapt to the world of work which is constantly changing and developing with the changing times. He also conveyed that the increase in strata was also to answer the needs of applied undergraduate graduates in the business and industrial world. “We see that several business and industrial worlds require qualifications or competencies for applied undergraduate graduates, but many are still filled with academic graduates,” he explained.
The existence of an applied undergraduate study program is also expected to increase public interest in studying at Undiksha. Registration for new student admissions for these eight study programs is opened through the Joint Entrance Selection of the Independent PathwayComputer Based Test (SMBJM-CBT), namely until June 30 2022 through the https://penerimaan.undiksha.ac.id/ujian-tulis page. It is hoped that this opportunity can be put to good use by SMA/SMK/MA graduates. (hms)
