BK-PTKI Workshop Discussed the Accreditation For Higher Education Institution

For 2 days, from March 20 to March 21, UPH with cooperation from Indonesia Christian Higher Education Institutions Cooperation Board (BK-PTKI) hosted the workshop of Accreditation for Higher Education Institution. Participated by 18 Christian universities from all over Indonesia, this workshop featured two speakers: Samuel Dossugi, MA council member of National Accreditation Board for Higher Education (BAN PT) and Prof. Christantius Dwiatmadja, SE.,ME., Ph.D. , member of Assessor for National Accreditation Board for Higher Education of General Higher Education Directorate of National Education Ministry.

The workshop first day topics, ?Government Policy in Institution Accreditation and the Standard of Evaluation for Institution Accreditation? and ?The Principles of Institution Accreditation Preparation?, were presented by Dr. Samuel. The next day topic, ?The Keys to ?Grade A? Institution Accreditation?, was discussed by Prof. Christantius.

Samuel Dossugi, MA (right)

Prof. Christantius Dwiatmadja (front-right)

To further expand the participants? insight, the committee invited two representatives from different institutions to share their experiences in passing the accreditation evaluation. The first institution was Universitas Kristen Petra from Surabaya that received accreditation grade ?A? and the second was Universitas Pelita Harapan that evaluated with accreditation grade ?B?.

The Institution Accreditation has just been implemented in 2007 and it is held once every five years. There are about 3200 higher education institutions in Indonesia but only 73 institutions that are registered in Institution Accreditation. The accreditation itself evaluates institutional capacity and educational effectiveness, in which both of these aspects are based on 7 accreditation essentials. They are (1) Vision, mission, objective and target as well as the strategy to accomplish them, (2) governances, leaderships, management systems, and quality assurances, (3) students and graduates, (4) human resources, (5) curriculum, learning process, and academic atmosphere, (6) finances, infrastructures, information systems and (7) researches, social services and partnerships.

Prof. Manlian, UPH Faculty of Science and Technology Dean, represented UPH?s accreditation team to share UPH?s experience during accreditation process. Based on BAN PT evaluation on May 2013, UPH was granted the accreditation with grade B.

Prof. Manlian (left)

?We formed teams that were able to reach all faculty and department representatives so that we could write down a complete report. We conducted a SWOT analysis to gather information on the progress that we had been made. The simulation part of SWOT analysis was also a crucial stage for us, because the result gave us an early description of UPH progress. The simulation was done first so that in case we found errors, we fixed it right away. After the error had been handled, we submitted the report. When the assessor team came to check up on our campus, we already prepared a solid team that could serve as the bridge between the assessors and university, provide the best services and notice either demand or input from the assessors. We provide the data as it is, we want to be honest as UPH firmly upholds its vision and mission. Our Rector reminds us in every occasion that we have to carry out UPH vision and mission. Furthermore, UPH vision and mission are also reflected both in academic and university daily activity. Moreover, we also support many strategic programs such as alumni relations, spiritual growth, student life and others. These are the relevant points in accreditation,? Prof. Manlian explained.

Prof. Ir. Rolly Intan (center)

The second session was presented by UK Petra, the only private university in Surabaya that graded ?A? for the accreditation. UK Petra Rector, Prof. Ir. Rolly Intan, shared important variables that can boost the evaluation. About 70% of UK Petra program with accreditation grade ?A?, significant numbers of UK Petra scientific paper on international journals, and more than 12% of UK Petra lecturers with a Doctoral (S3) degree are some of the variables that make UK Petra received grade ?A?. He also explained some valuable tips to prepare for institution accreditation. The first is to completely and accurately collect the necessary data. The second is institution and assessors have to see from the same perspective so that both sides will not receive any kind of loss. Next is to form a team that focuses on evaluation assistances. The team then is divided into sections that will carry out different objectives. There are accreditation data gathering (borang) section, self-evaluation section, internal reviewer section, supporting section that will involve students, as well as alumni and company relation section. It is also imperative to maintain the university facilities in their top-condition. Furthermore, to fulfill one of UK Petra missions as the ?best IT campus?, the team also paid attention to IT program and infrastructure. UK Petra data has also been assembled in a web base format. Thus, the data can be searched and presented quickly.

This workshop provided valuable information for the participants. Some of the participants also raised questions about the problems that their institutions had encountered such as proposing permission to open new study programs, the linearity of lectures? expertise, and several other questions that mainly discussed accreditation process by BAN PT. (rh)