The delegation from the University of Jember (Unej) led by Chairman of the Institute of Education Improvement and Development (LP3), Prof. Dr. Bambang Hari Purnomo, M.A., today visited UGM to conduct a comparative study. The visit was received by the Head of Education Development Center of UGM, Prof. dr. Harsono, Sp.S (K), Prof. Dr. Endang Baliarti (Administrator Team Coordinator of Lecturer Certification Program ), Lecturer Certification Program Secretary, Prof. Dr. Sri Raharjo, Director of Human Resources, Harjadi, S.H, M.M, and Secretary of the Human Resources Directorate, Dra. Emmy Indjatmiati M.Si., at the Council of Professors Council Room.
According to Prof. Bambang Hari Purnomo, the visiting delegation of about 30 people included professors, employees, and some from Centers of Studies. The visit was focused to gain knowledge from UGM, especially related to the management of Education Development Center or Education Improvement and Development and lecturers certification. "The visit and comparative study were more focused on the management and lecturer certification," said Bambang.
Prof. dr. Harsono, Sp.S (K), said that Education Development Center at UGM consisted of two focus areas of development, namely development of lecture quality and education quality management. These two areas in their development are still assisted by a team of independent consultants. "The independent consultant team is quite effective, because it is not funded by our Annual Activity and Budget Plan and they have been well-trained in their respective fields," he explained.
This comparative study also raised several issues, such as funding, foreign students recruitment, and lecturers certification. Related with lecturer certification, Prof. Dr. Sri Raharjo, explained that in the certification implementation, the team cooperated with the faculty. The faculty is expected to assist the lecturer in preparing the performance and administration data for the certification. "In submiting the workload, for example, the faculty can help them prepare the matters," said Sri Raharjo.
So far, after being trusted by the Higher Learning Directorate General to become the certification organizer, the failure rate of the lecturers in getting the certification is relatively low, which is below 1%. "Two years of becoming organizer, of the 700 lecturers from several universities who joined the certification program, only less than 1% has failed," she said.