Wednesday, July 4, 2022. The academic leadership of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI) received a delegation from the Geography Study Program, Faculty of Social Sciences, Jakarta State University (FIS UNJ), in Meeting Room A, Dean’s Building, UI Campus, Depok. The delegation consisted of nine people, consisting of three Study Program Coordinators and six lecturers.

The presence of the delegation led by Dr. Sucahyanto, M.Si. (Coordinator of the Undergraduate Geography Study Program) is a comparative study agenda program in the context of developing and managing the Geography Study Program, FIS UNJ.

The purpose of this visit was to exchange information on the curriculum, academic and non-academic collaboration schemes, including student exchanges, research activities, the implementation of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka program, and so on.

The UNJ delegation also wanted to know more about the efforts made by the Department of Geography, FMIPA UI, so that it was able to penetrate the rankings of 151-200 as the best study program in the world in the ranking of The Quacquarelli Symonds World University Ranking (QS WUR) by Subject 2020. In fact, the Department of Geography, FMIPA UI, was able to maintain this ranking until 2022.

On the same occasion, the Dean of FMIPA UI, Dede Djuhana, Ph.D., outlined the profile of FMIPA UI, including academic and non-academic activities, domestic and international collaborations, the implementation of the Independent Learning and Independent Campus (MBKM) program, academic research and innovation, and the national and international accreditations achieved by each study program.

“The Geography undergraduate study program has just undergone ASIIN accreditation, along with the Mathematics, Physics, and Biology undergraduate programs. We are also encouraging the Geography graduate study program to undergo ASIIN accreditation,” said the Dean.

“Our target this year is for 15 study programs to obtain international accreditation, as part of our performance contract with the Chancellor,” he said.

Furthermore, the Dean revealed that the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) of the University of Indonesia (UI) is preparing to establish a Doctoral Program in Geography. In preparation for the establishment of this new study program, the Dean stated that the proposal document is currently being reviewed by UI officials, namely the Academic Quality Assurance Agency (BPMA), the Director of Education, and the Directorate of Academic Development and Learning Resources (DPASDP).

Previously, the Geography Department of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI) and the Geography Study Program of the University of Jakarta (UNJ) had collaborated on Distance Learning (PJJ) activities. Both parties also agreed to collaborate on training to improve the competency of junior high school teachers in the geography profession. Therefore, the Dean hopes that the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI) and UNJ can expand their collaboration, particularly in implementing the MBKM program.

Meanwhile, Dr. Supriatna, M.T. as the Head of the Geography Department of FMIPA UI stated that Geography FMIPA UI has implemented many programs that have become quality standards used by world ranking bodies, including the reputation of Human Resources (HR), H-Index Citation (a benchmark for productivity and impact of works published by a scientist), quality of academic work, and academic reputation.

“Geografi FMIPA UI juga membuka pintu-pintu kolaborasi, baik kolaborasi riset maupun program kegiatan akademik dan kemahasiswaan dengan beberapa universitas baik dalam negeri maupun luar negeri,” kata Dr. Supriatna terkait upaya Departemen Geografi menuju peringkat dunia.

Present at this agenda from FMIPA UI were Rika Tri Yunarti, Ph.D., (Education Manager), Dr. Dipo Aldila, M.Si. (Research and Community Service Manager), Dr. Dewi Susiloningtyas, M.Si. (Student Affairs Manager), Dr. Denny R. Silaban, M.Kom. (Head of Academic Quality Assurance Unit), and Iqbal Putut Ash Shidiq, M.Sc. (Head of Geography Undergraduate Study Program).

Meanwhile, the FIS UNJ delegation, in addition to the delegation leader, was also attended by the Study Program Coordinators, namely Dr. Ode Sofyan Hardi, M.Pd., M.Si. (S1 Geography Education Study Program Coordinator), and Dr. Samadi, M.Si. (S2 Geography Education Study Program Coordinator).

Other delegates were the Lecturers of the Undergraduate Geography Study Program consisting of Dr. Cahyadi Seytiawan, M.Sc., Ilham B Mataburu, M.Sc., and Lia Kusumawati, S.Sc., Lecturers of the Undergraduate Geography Education Study Program consisting of Rayuna Handawati, M.Pd., Sony Nugratama, M.Sc., and Fauzi Ramadhoan, M.Sc..