At the end of the celebration of the 55th Anniversary of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, a new department called the Department of Computer Sciences and Electronics was established. It is a merger of two S1 departments and one S-2/S-3 department. These are S-1 Computer Sciences and S-2/S-3Computer Sciences which were originally under the Department of Mathematics, and S-1 Electronics and Instrumentation, which was originally under the Department of Physics. "The formation of this new department has gone a long journey, starting from the submission of proposal in 2006," said Drs. Retantyo Wardoyo, M.Sc., Ph.D., Chairman of the Department of Computer Sciences and Electronics of the Faculty, on Monday (4/10).
The reason for the establishment of these majors, according to Retantyo, actually has long emerged among faculty and students of Computer Sciences, Electronics and Instrumentation in diploma, S-1, S-2, and S-3 levels. Though formally the lecturers are in two different majors (Mathematics and Physics), in fact they have been through the education level in the same field (computers and electronics). Besides, they have to work together in teaching and research. "They also serve as lecturers of subjects in both departments. They prepared the curriculum, selected the lecturers of subjects and selecting supervisors for graduating paper. The tasks always involve the lecturers in the two departments so that cooperation had actually been established for a long time," he added.
Furthermore, Retantyo explained that the substance of science given in the Department of Computer Sciences and Electronics and Instrumentation are still in the same science. By becoming a new department, it is expected to be more recognized nationally and internationally. "So if there is cooperation, whether in education, research and other activities, those will be stronger if run under the department of Computer Sciences and Electronics," he continued.
The establishment of this new department responds to community needs. This is because not everyone is familiar with Computer Sciences Department and Electronics and Instrumentation Department, while on the other hand, majors such as this are common. "With this new department, both faculty and students would be more stable, at the same time we're responding to the community’s need," Retantyo expected.
Dean of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Dr. Chairil Anwar, welcomed the formation of the new department in the Faculty. Although he is not sure if in the future more departments will be opened, he still believes that the development of science currently is extraordinary. "No more majors that adapt to the development of science, but science will find its own place. In its development, if it is suitable, the science will remain in the department where it is situated. If it is not, it will create a new home," the Dean said during the opening inauguration of the new department.
The inauguration was marked by cutting two rice cones. Chairman of the Senate of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Subanar, cut the first cone and gave it to the Secretary of the Department, Dra. Sri Hartati, M.Sc., Ph.D., while the Dean cut the second cone and handed it over to the Chairman of the new Department, Drs. Retantyo Wardoyo, M.Sc., Ph.D.