No Thesis Required: UNM Informatics Master's Graduates Can Complete Studies via Publications and Innovations
The Faculty of Information Technology (FTI) at Universitas Nusa Mandiri (UNM) continues to introduce innovations in its academic system. Now, students in the UNM Master’s in Informatics programme can choose not only the conventional thesis route but also the Recognition of Scientific Publications and Technology Innovations (RPKIIT) scheme as an alternative for their final assignment.
This programme opens two main pathways for completing studies: through publishing reputable scientific journals and developing technological innovations or prototypes. This scheme encourages students to produce works that are not only academic but also have a real impact on society and industry.
The Head of the UNM Master’s in Informatics Programme, Prof Dr Agus Subekti, explained that this policy is part of a transformation in research- and innovation-based learning.
“We encourage students not only to compile a thesis but also to produce reputable scientific publications and technological innovations that provide real contributions. This is added value in facing global competition,” he stated, quoted on Tuesday (21/4/2026).
In its implementation, UNM, as a Digital Business Campus, establishes a measurable assessment scheme. Students who successfully publish articles in international journals indexed at least in Scopus Q3 can obtain a minimum grade of A-. Meanwhile, publications in Q2 and Q1 journals can be converted to an A grade.
“Not only that, in the technology innovation pathway, students who produce prototype-based works or applied solutions have the opportunity to gain recognition through patents. Full patents are converted to an equivalent A grade, while simple patents equate to A-,” he clarified.
According to him, all submitted works must be relevant to the field of study, involve supervising lecturers, and include UNM affiliation. This is part of efforts to strengthen the research and publication culture within the campus environment.
Through the RPKIIT programme, Prof Agus stated that UNM, as a Digital Business Campus, reaffirms its commitment to producing master’s graduates who are not only academically excellent but also innovative, adaptive, and ready to meet the needs of the digital industry.
“With this scheme, students are expected to produce globally competitive works while contributing to the development of knowledge and accelerating digital transformation in Indonesia,” he concluded.