Five programs at the UGM Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA UGM) have been ranked globally by the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Ranking (QS WUR) by Subject 2024.
These programs are Electronics and Instrumentation, ranked 301-350 in the world and first in Indonesia; Computer Science, ranked 351-400 globally; and Mathematics, ranked 459 globally and first in Indonesia, followed by ITB’s Mathematics at 504 and UI’s Mathematics at 541.
The Chemistry program is ranked 512 globally and first in Indonesia, followed by ITB’s Chemistry at 554 and UI’s Chemistry at 630. The Physics program at FMIPA UGM is ranked 610 globally and second in Indonesia, behind ITB’s Physics, which is ranked 555 globally.
The Dean of FMIPA UGM, Professor Kuwat Triyana, expressed his delight and pride over the inclusion of three FMIPA programs in the top world rankings. This achievement aligns with FMIPA’s vision to become a leading faculty by conducting excellent and innovative research to develop international-standard education.
“FMIPA UGM is committed to contributing to the realization of Golden Indonesia 2045 by maintaining high graduate employability, preserving academic reputation, expanding national contributions, and ensuring campus welfare,” said the dean in his statement to reporters on Tuesday (Apr. 30).
The QS WUR By Subject rankings are based on criteria such as academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per academic paper, productivity index, publication impact, and international publication collaborations.
Dean Triyana explained that FMIPA UGM continuously improves its academic standards by developing and updating curricula to align with scientific advancements and industry needs.
“We aim to produce graduates who excel and possess outstanding skills,” he stated.
Out of eight undergraduate and ten master’s and doctoral programs, four undergraduate programs have received international ASIIN accreditation: Computer Science, Electronics and Instrumentation, Mathematics, and Statistics.
Several other programs are applying for ASIIN accreditation this year, and the Master’s Program in Computer Science has also received accreditation.
FMIPA UGM has 199 active faculty members evenly distributed across departments to support learning and research publications. It has 42 professors and 134 certified lecturers, making up 67% of the total faculty.
Each department averages 98.25 scientific publications annually. The international publications by FMIPA UGM faculty in Q1 reputed journals have increased from 16.7% to 23.8%. Although the number of publications in reputable international journals decreased from 252 in 2023 to 214, Q1 journal publications rose.
Dean Triyana mentioned that the average monthly Scopus citations increased by 0.33 in 2022 and 2023, and Google Scholar citations increased by 0.18 in the same period. Regarding research funding, FMIPA UGM frequently collaborates with external parties, both industrial and institutional. External funding accounts for 83.5% of the total research funding.
In terms of partnerships, FMIPA UGM has established 145 domestic and 23 international collaborations. International partners include nine countries: Japan, Australia, Taiwan, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Germany.
“Japan and Australia have the most partnerships, with five each,” he noted.
These collaborations encompass education, research, and community service, such as student exchanges, joint research, educational programs, and training.
Some notable collaborations include dual degree programs for BSc in Computer Science and Chemistry with the University of Birmingham, MSc in Computer Science with Kanazawa University, MSc in Computer Science with National Central University Taiwan, and joint PhD programs in Mathematics with the University of Twente.
Dual Master’s degrees in computer science are also offered between the faculty and the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, and a double PhD with National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan.
FMIPA UGM conducts tracer studies regarding graduate employability, showing that alumni generally secure jobs within three months of graduation.
It has also established the FMIPA UGM Advisory Board, a collaboration with the FMIPA UGM Alumni Association (KAMIPAGAMA), involving alumni in key positions such as directors, CEOs, and managers.
Formed in 2023, the advisory board aims to accelerate FMIPA UGM’s transformation into an excellent and innovative campus in implementing the tri-dharma of higher education.
The board, chaired by Daniel Oscar Baskoro and comprised of 63 alumni, is divided into three commissions: Curriculum Development Strategy, Job Matching Strategy, and Research and Innovation Strategy.
One of the board’s tasks is to enhance employability and bring FMIPA UGM closer to the industry, a crucial aspect of the tri-dharma of higher education.
“This includes strategies to facilitate FMIPA UGM graduates in easily securing employment after graduation,” he concluded.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Firsto