29 Sep 2024
Merdeka Student Exchange Program: An Interdisciplinary Collaboration between Universitas Bung Hatta and the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Padangpanjang
Murni Sri Kemuning, a student of the Indonesian Language and Literature Education Study Program (PBSI), Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Universitas Bung Hatta, has been officially inaugurated as a participant in the Merdeka Student Exchange Program (PMM) at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Padangpanjang. This semester-long program represents FKIP Universitas Bung Hatta’s strategic commitment to fostering creativity, broadening academic perspectives, and cultivating student character through off-campus learning experiences. The collaboration between the two institutions was established through an intensive academic agreement aligning relevant courses offered by PBSI FKIP Universitas Bung Hatta and the Theater Arts Study Program at ISI Padangpanjang.
Murni’s arrival was warmly received by the Dean of the Faculty of Performing Arts, ISI Padangpanjang, Dr. Irwan, S.Pd., M.Pd., accompanied by the Head of the Theater Arts Study Program, Dr. Dede Pramayoza, S.Sn., M.A. The visit of the FKIP Universitas Bung Hatta representative, Dr. Ineng Naini, M.Pd., signified a shared commitment to fostering inter-institutional academic collaboration grounded in quality, sustainability, and interdisciplinary synergy. This program not only provides an opportunity for cross-disciplinary academic engagement but also serves as a bridge for aligning Competency-Based Curriculum (CBP) design—an essential foundation of the Merdeka Belajar–Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) initiative.
Through the PMM, students of the Theater Arts Study Program at ISI Padangpanjang are equipped with professional competencies in theater criticism and analysis, alongside skills in Indonesian linguistics, literary criticism, modern literature, and arts-literature research—skills that are directly relevant to the academic foundation of PBSI students. The program accommodates the integration of literature and performing arts, creating new spaces for innovative, research-based creative exploration. In essence, the PMM is not merely an academic exchange program but a transformative learning experience designed to develop 21st-century competencies and prepare students for the evolving global workforce.
This program is funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) of the Republic of Indonesia, through the Grant for the Acceleration of Curriculum and Higher Education Learning Development in Support of Independent Kampus Merdeka Implementation. Within this framework, the PMM constitutes a national initiative aimed at transforming higher education curricula from rigid, content-based systems into adaptive, collaborative, and innovative outcome-based learning approaches.
The curriculum developed through this collaboration not only aligns with advancements in technology, emerging job market trends, and the national vision of science and innovation but also actively involves key stakeholders, including the creative industry, business sector (DUDI), and other partner institutions. This integration underscores the program’s mission to create a dynamic, future-oriented educational ecosystem that bridges academia, industry, and society in the spirit of Merdeka Belajar–Kampus Merdeka.
According to Rio Rinaldi, Head of the Indonesian Language and Literature Education (PBSI) Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Universitas Bung Hatta, “In addition to enhancing graduate quality, this initiative also embodies the realization of inter-university collaboration. The PBSI Study Program will continue to strengthen partnerships with strategic collaborators who can support the improvement of graduate competencies, enabling students to grow into competitive, creative, and character-driven individuals.” This vision aligns with the Directorate of Learning and Student Affairs, under the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology, which promotes curriculum reconstruction that is responsive to global transformation.
Through her experience at ISI Padangpanjang, Murni Sri Kemuning has the potential to emerge as a transformative agent within her academic community. Beyond developing technical expertise in theater and literary criticism, she brings with her a model of collaborative learning that integrates local wisdom, as exemplified in the PMM 3 Program, which incorporates the Modul Nusantara and immersive experiences in the Mentawai Islands (*). Such initiatives demonstrate that higher education extends far beyond the classroom—thriving within the richness of cultural diversity, natural environments, and the creative expressions of society.
From a systemic perspective, the Merdeka Student Exchange Program (PMM) is not merely a curricular complement but a core component in realizing the vision of an independent Merdeka Campus. Supported by national regulations and cross-institutional collaboration, this program serves as a model for other higher education institutions in implementing competency-based, participatory, and sustainable learning. Amidst the ever-evolving dynamics of the global landscape, the PMM exemplifies that true educational freedom begins with the courage to exchange experiences, build networks, and cultivate interdisciplinary thinking.
MoU Link : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hA0gsgmmOpf0D-5xea0d4gt0Jj1Lcyjq/view?usp=sharing
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