The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI) has successfully achieved accreditation from the international institution The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for its master's degree program in Chemistry.
This was conveyed directly by the RSC team via official email on December 10, 2022. The accreditation certificate itself was received by the leadership of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia, on Thursday, January 5, 2023.
This study program follows the success of the undergraduate chemistry study program which previously received the same accreditation in 2019.
The RSC accreditation for the Master of Chemistry study program was obtained after an assessment and visitation process by two independent assessors, namely Dr. Jason Lynam FRSC from the University of York and Dr. Richard Ansell, MA, Cchem, MRSC from the University of Leeds, as well as one from the RSC secretariat, namely Miss Kim Smith CChem MRSC on (Tuesday, November 3, 2022).
The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) is a professional organization of scholars in the United Kingdom that aims to advance the science of chemistry. Through accreditation, the RSC promotes good practices in university chemistry education, and ensure that future chemical scientists have broad and competent knowledge.
Dean of FMIPA UI Dede Djuhana, Ph.D. said, "This achievement of international accreditation strengthens the evidence of FMIPA UI's performance, especially in the Main Performance Indicator (IKU) 8, namely the number of internationally accredited study programs."
Furthermore, the Dean assessed that the staff in the Chemistry Department were quite adaptive in responding to various policy changes, so they could quickly adjust to new regulations related to international accreditation and the like.
"Thanks to the Department of Chemistry's strong foundation, including the quality of its human resources, management, facilities, and its productive academic community, which has produced international journal publications," said the Dean.
The Dean hopes that all study programs at FMIPA UI that have achieved international accreditation can strengthen their networks with international partners.
According to the Head of the Academic Quality Assurance Unit of FMIPA UI, Dr. Denny R. Silaban, M.Kom., as a special accreditation institution in the field of chemistry, RSC determines
various assessment indicators consisting of aims of the department, delivery methods, transferable skills, quality assurance, resources, laboratory facilities, library and it resources, safety and practical documentation, laboratory supervision, inclusion and diversity, staff development, academic development and wellbeing, feedback from previous accreditation.
Dr. Denny further explained that the RSC accreditation process for the Chemistry Master's Program is not significantly different from the accreditation process for the Chemistry Bachelor's Program. The assessment focuses on the quality of learning, including the department's vision and mission, which are outlined in the Learning Outcomes (LO) (learning outcomes), strategic plan namely strategies for graduates to achieve LO, curriculum, improving student skills through practical activities, opportunities for students to undertake Field Work Practice, and a system for implementing students' final assignments
However, the Master's Program in Chemistry places greater emphasis on the depth and breadth of chemical knowledge taught, the appropriateness of teaching methods, and assessment methods. Furthermore, Dr. Denny also mentioned that professional skills, practical skills, learning environment, and project work are also important considerations in the assessment.
he accreditation process for undergraduate and graduate programs is not much different. For graduate programs, the emphasis is more on the depth of knowledge provided, the suitability of teaching methods, and assessment methods for the master's level. Besides that Professional skill, praktical skill, learning environment, dan project work dan project work also taken into account.
Head of the Chemistry Department, Dr. Asep Sefumillah, said that the quality of the study program must have an impact on society, the nation, and the state, especially in producing superior, competitive, innovative human resources who are adaptive to change.
With this accreditation achievement, the Department of Chemistry and its study programs gain various benefits, including having added value for graduates so that they are more superior and competitive in entering the job market, having a selling point for prospective new students to register to continue their studies at the UI Chemistry Department, wider opportunities in obtaining research funds and scholarships in addition to increasing international recognition, so that they have more opportunities to expand their international collaboration network.
"The benefit of this RSC accreditation for the Chemistry Department is that it increases the confidence of our alumni in starting their careers, and provides wider opportunities for students and lecturers in networking collaborations with academic and research partners at the national and international levels," said Dr. Asep.
