UNAND and Indonesian Engineers Association Socialise Strengthening of Engineering Study Programmes
Universitas Andalas (UNAND) together with the Independent Engineering Accreditation Agency of the Indonesian Engineers Association (LAM Teknik PII) has socialised the strengthening of quality in Engineering Study Programmes (Prodi) to produce graduates who impact national development.
“This socialisation is proof that the spirit of building the quality of higher engineering education continues to grow and strengthen,” said UNAND’s Vice Rector I, Prof Syukri Arief, in Padang on Thursday.
Syukri stated that in the current era, higher education is changing very rapidly. Campuses are not only required to produce graduates but must also provide real impacts for society, the industrial world, regional development, and national progress.
On that occasion, he said that accreditation should not be viewed merely as an administrative process or fulfilment of documents. Rather, it is more than that; accreditation reflects quality, a quality culture, and the institution’s commitment to providing the best education to students.
In the socialisation, he also highlighted the importance of transforming quality governance from mere quality assurance to a quality culture that is rooted in all higher education processes.
Because the excellent predicate is not the finish line but the starting point towards new standards that demand universities to continuously adapt and make changes. Specifically in the engineering field, he assessed that current global challenges are increasingly complex with the presence of smart technological disruptions, global energy transitions, and demands of the industrial revolution that require resilient and adaptive engineers.
“We are not only discussing macro policies but also delving into mission differentiation, accountability, as well as the relevance of research and community service,” he said.
According to him, the accreditation system must be carried out professionally, impartially, and provide real impacts on the quality of higher education in Indonesia.
“Accreditation is not the end but a tool for quality transformation. The real main target is the creation of a sustainable quality culture,” he stated.
Additional information, LAM Teknik is supported by 385 assessors and 85 board members from professional practitioners with qualifications as Professional Associate Engineers (IPM), as well as academics from various universities in Indonesia.
The socialisation of strengthening the quality of Engineering Study Programmes was attended by various universities in West Sumatra, Jambi, Riau, and Riau Islands.