UNAIR NEWS – The scientific construction of ‘Saling Menyapa’ (Greeting Each Other) is one of the values upheld by Prof. Soetandyo Wignjosoebroto, the founder of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR).
It is not surprising that the faculty, which is often called the Orange Campus since its establishment in 1977, has implemented a tradition of cross-study course policies. Such policies align with the Merdeka Belajar (Freedom of Learning) program regulated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology.
The Dean of FISIP UNAIR, Prof. Dr. Drs. Bagong Suyanto, M.Si., explained that FISIP UNAIR has opened up opportunities for its students to take courses from other study programs for a long time.
“This program aims to make students able to ‘greet each other’ among various disciplines. Thus, they are not confined to only one discipline,” he explained.
This policy is getting expanded through the curriculum redesign in each department that follows the Freedom of Learning Independent Campus (MBKM) program. Now, FISIP students can take not only courses across study programs but also across faculties.
Furthermore, FISIP UNAIR is also diversifying its courses to follow the current development, job market demands, and social needs. “The Department of Sociology, for example, has opened new courses such as Digital Sociology and Sociology of Communication. Besides, there are many new interdisciplinary courses,” he added.
FISIP UNAIR has also opened a Student Talent Development Center to facilitate students with more competencies. Thus, students who wish to conduct research, join competitions, do student exchanges, and hold other activities will receive guidance and direction.
In the near future, the Orange Campus is also preparing to execute a thesis equivalence policy with competitions, research, internships, and community service activities. “Next semester, the best FISIP UNAIR students with experience and track record of such achievements can propose a substitute for thesis or transfer their credits,” he explained.
FISIP UNAIR’s outstanding commitment to MBKM program has finally increased the options for off-campus activities for students. For instance, the latest news reported that FISIP UNAIR succeeded in having 17 of its students participate in the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) student exchange program. FISIP becomes one of the most contributors among other faculties in UNAIR.
Therefore, Prof. Bagong, the Dean of FISIP, hoped that students would be more active in the Freedom of Learning program. “The essence of MBKM is actually the same as the scientific visions at FISIP UNAIR: placing students as learning subjects and increasing students’ future choices,” he said. (*)
Author: Intang Arifia
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh (YA/AP)
