Rector: UI Considering Blended Learning 

Rector: UI Considering Blended Learning 

 

Delli Asterina ~ FEB UI Public Relations Officer

Universitas Indonesia (UI) Rector Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D. served as speaker for a webinar entitled “Freedom Campus during and after COVID-19” on Friday (29/5/2020). Director General of Higher Education at Ministry of Education and Culture Prof. Ir. Nizam, M.Sc., DIC, Ph.D., education practitioner Prof. Dr. M. Arief, and Universitas Esa Unggul Rector Dr. Ir. Arief Kusuma Among Praja, MBA were co-speakers at the online seminar.

Ari opened his presentation by explaining that higher education is a cultural connectivity or cultural friendship. “Academics must know their world and should not be confined to their laboratories or offices to write scientific articles. They also have to be able to interact with their surroundings such as by providing advice to industry/the private sector and the government. Building engagement with the government, industry and society, known as the triple helix, is important. This is indicated by the ranking system for universities, which gives a weight of 40% for reputation (which can assess relations with government, industry and society). Through triple helix engagement, a university can enhance its reputation,” said Ari.

Ari revealed that COVID-19 has opened opportunities for UI to optimize triple helix collaboration. “On the positive side, the pandemic has become a catalyst for the formation of cooperation between UI, the government and the private sector, especially in the field of social engagement health services and downstream medical devices developed by UI,” he said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, UI is more deeply involved with its environment, including through social engagement health services for the public. UI provides the Makara UI Satellite Clinic; UI Hospital (RSUI) that is dedicated to COVID-19 handling in Depok city; FKUI Clinical Microbiology Laboratory to examine COVID-19; UI professors and academics who are actively involved in the COVID-19 Task Force; and reallocation of UI’s budget to support RSUI amid the pandemic.

Furthermore, by adopting the spirit of “Freedom Campus” promoted by the government, UI created social engagement volunteers. Ari said, “COVID-19 has made us realize that this is UI’s opportunity to support the government, including by initiating the 7th semester student volunteer program to assist medical personnel at RSUI in handling COVID-19. Student volunteers will get three credit units after completing their activities and submitting their reports. The program opens up new nuances because it attracts not only students majoring in health sciences but  also students majoring in social sciences. “

“In the future, UI lectures may use a blended learning system, namely the application of online and face-to-face systems. With the health protocol, class capacity will not be 100% utilized by students. Therefore, half of the students study in class, the other half study in groups online at home. They take turn doing this. Lecturers do not need to teach in the classroom, they can also teach from their office or from home, especially those who are elderly,” said Prof. Ari when explaining UI’s approach to learning and teaching when the campus reopens.

Prof. Ari added, “Likewise, scientific conferences will also be carried out online and e-certificates will be issued. It is also possible to have a graduate assistant system that allows the recruitment of graduates/alumni as assistant lecturers to help senior lecturers deliver their lectures online.”

On the same occasion, Prof. Nizam appreciated the modules developed by UI for student volunteers as part of the implementation of the Freedom Campus concept. “Becoming a volunteer is the realization of the Freedom Campus concept. Students are highly enthusiastics about becoming volunteers. In just three days, 15,000 students registered as volunteers. This means the students have a high red and white spirit, and this action can build empathy and the spirit of humanity. We appreciate UI for also converting the volunteer work into credit units, “said Prof. Nizam. (hjtp)

(lem)