The assessment of four study programs at Universitas Gadjah Mada by team of ASEAN University Network on Higher Education for Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) has been done. On the last day of assessment, Wednesday (16/12), the four study programs, Accounting, Forestry, Electrical Engineering and Geodetic Engineering, received input from the assessors.
Those who provide inputs and assessment are Dr. Wyona C. Patalinghug (De La Salle, University of the Philippines) for Accounting Study Program and Prof. Dr. Evangeline P. Bautista (Ateneo de Manilla University, Philippines) for Electric Engineering Study Program. Furthermore, the Forestry study program was assessed by Prof. Dr. Damrong Thawe Saengskulthai (Chulalongkorn University, Thailand) and Geodetic Engineering by Prof. Dr. Kay Tan Chuan.
"We appreciate the deans related to this assessment activities in December. We realize UGM is not perfect, and as part of the higher education institution, we would not only work hard, but also try to give sustainable quality of education," said Vice-Rector of Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. dr. Iwan Dwiprahasto, M.Med.Sc., Ph.D, during the closing ceremony in the Multimedia Room.
Iwan Dwiprahasto explained that the four courses had prepared all the relevant matters for the assessment for a year. This was done in order to improve the quality of teaching in the era of globalization as well as the competence of students in anticipation of the development of knowledge and skills.
Dr. Leni Sofia Heliani, the Head of Education Quality Assurance UGM, added the four study programs of UGM assessed by AUN-QA was to prepare students and graduates for the ASEAN Economic Community. The study programs are expected to have appropriate standard quality setting for the ASEAN region.
"The Accrediting Agency for University (BAN PT) works at national level, AUN-QA is ASEAN level. This is the establishment of the quality standards of graduates and courses in the region, and later international scope," she said.
Although so far only 23 Programs of Undergraduate have been assessed by AUN-QA, Leni Sofia, was optimistic that hundreds of study programs of UGM will earn ASEAN and international accreditation. Outside the AUN-QA, she said, not a few courses at the faculty went directly to international accreditation agencies.
"Seeing (the big number) our study programs seems like a long process to do, but outside of it, there are many schemes that could be worked out, not only through the AUN," she explained.