Engaging Stakeholders: The Informatics and Computer Engineering Education Study Program Holds a Focus Group Discussion (FGD)

The Informatics and Computer Engineering Education (PTIK) Study Program under the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Universitas Bung Hatta, recently organized a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with a crucial theme — the development of the Standard Operational Guideline (POB) for the Independent MBKM Acceleration Program.

This activity forms an integral part of a series of initiatives funded through the MBKM Curriculum Development Acceleration Grant, provided by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2024 fiscal year. The program demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to supporting the creation of relevant and high-quality curricula within higher education institutions.

The main resource person for this discussion was Dr. Syukma Netti, M.Si, who serves as the MBKM Coordinator at Universitas Bung Hatta. Her presence provided comprehensive insights into the implementation of MBKM and the challenges encountered in its execution.

The FGD was officially opened by the Head of the PTIK Study Program, Dr. Karmi Suryani, M.Kom. In her opening remarks, she emphasized the importance of synergy among various stakeholders to achieve a more relevant and industry-oriented curriculum that also aligns with societal needs.

A notable strength of this FGD was the active participation of multiple strategic partners, reflecting a holistic collaborative ecosystem. From the vocational education sector, representatives from three leading vocational schools in Padang attended — SMK Negeri 8 Padang, SMK Negeri 6 Padang, and SMK Muhammadiyah 1 Padang.

From the industrial sector, PT Semen Padang participated actively, illustrating the business community’s commitment to supporting the development of high-quality human resources. Additionally, academic partners were also present, including Universitas PGRI Sumatera Barat and Universitas Metamedia Padang, along with the drafting team, who played a crucial role in formulating the POB document.

According to Dr. Karmi Suryani, the primary output of this FGD is the establishment of the Standard Operational Guideline (POB) for the Independent MBKM Program. This document will serve as an official reference for the implementation of three key programs: the Teaching Assistance Program, the Student Exchange Program, and the Industrial Internship Program.

The POB is expected to serve as a comprehensive guide for all academic members in implementing the Independent MBKM programs in a more structured and effective manner. With clear operational guidance, it is anticipated that MBKM initiatives will be executed more optimally, thereby generating a positive impact on students’ competency development.

The FGD on POB development holds strategic significance within the broader context of curriculum enhancement in the Merdeka Belajar–Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) era. Through collaboration that actively involves diverse stakeholders, it is expected that a curriculum can be developed that is more relevant, responsive, and adaptive to the evolving demands of the times.

This initiative aligns with the government’s vision to produce graduates who are not only academically excellent but also possess practical competencies aligned with the needs of the labor market and society at large. The Independent MBKM Program serves as an ideal platform to realize this vision through a range of structured experiential learning opportunities.

News Link : https://fkip.bunghatta.ac.id/berita/libatkan-stakeholder-prodi-ptik-selenggarakan-fgd/