Semarang (14/11) — Effective and innovative laboratory management was the central focus of the benchmarking visit held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, in the Senate Meeting Room, 3rd Floor, Building A, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Diponegoro (Undip). This event aimed to strengthen relationships and share experiences in developing academic programs, with laboratory management highlighted as a strategic point for enhancing educational quality across partner universities.

Representatives from several partner universities participated in the visit, including the Islamic Political Thought Study Program from the Faculty of Islamic Communication and Dakwah, Islamic State Institute (IAIN) Kudus; the Department of Public Administration from the Faculty of Social, Law, and Political Sciences, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY); and the Public Administration Study Program from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Veterans National Development University (UPN) East Java. They were warmly welcomed by the Dean of FISIP Undip, Dr. Drs. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin., along with the faculty leaders.

In his welcome address, Dr. Drs. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin., outlined Undip’s overarching vision to rank among the world’s top 500 universities as part of its university development strategy. “Currently, FISIP is ranked within the top 500 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024,” he stated, adding, “Undip has implemented various initiatives, one of which is the World Class University (WCU) scheme. Undip welcomes and sends students abroad” as part of its goal to achieve international standards. Other supporting programs, such as joint research and exchange programs, were also emphasized as part of the campus’s internationalization process.

Dr. Teguh also introduced several new facilities that FISIP Undip has prepared, including co-working spaces located throughout the campus. “We were inspired by international facilities, allowing students and lecturers to collaborate more effectively in these spaces,” he noted. This innovation is intended to foster a comfortable and interactive learning environment.

The benchmarking discussions covered various aspects of academic program development across the institutions, including curriculum, laboratory management, and strategies for timely graduation. Additionally, discussions extended to national and international ranking achievements, as well as academic cooperation forms such as internship programs, and faculty and student exchanges. The Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) initiative, particularly the IISMA program that enables students to gain learning experiences abroad, was also a major topic of interest among participants.

This benchmarking activity is expected to enrich perspectives among partner universities in managing academic programs effectively and sustainably, while also strengthening future academic collaborations.

Contributor & Translator:
Nur Inayah