A visit from the rector with the theme "Rector Greets" was successfully held at the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara, conducted in person in the Seminar Room of DH Penny Building (Thursday, January 5, 2023).
The Faculty of Agriculture welcomed distinguished guests from the "Rector Greets" team, led by the Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara, Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si., accompanied by the Vice Rectors of Universitas Sumatera Utara: Muhammad Arifin Nasution, S.Sos., M.SP. (Vice Rector II), Prof. Dr. Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, S.Si., M.Si., A.Pt. (Vice Rector III), Prof. Dr. Opim Salim Sitompul, M.Sc. (Vice Rector IV), Prof. Dr. dr. Muhammad Fidel Ganis Siregar, M.Ked.(OG), Sp.OG(K) (Secretary), Prof. Dr. Dwi Suryanto, M.Sc. (Chair of the Educational Development Unit), Dr. dr. Isti Ilmiati Fujiati, M.Sc., CMFM, M.Pd., Ked. (Chair of the Quality Management Unit), and Amalia Meutia, M.Psi., Psikolog (Head of Public Relations, Protocol, and Promotion).
The arrival of the esteemed guests from Universitas Sumatera Utara was warmly welcomed by the faculty members of the Faculty of Agriculture, including the Dean, Dr. Ir. Tavi Supriana, M.S., the Vice Deans, lecturers, and educational staff.
The Faculty of Agriculture is very fortunate to have this valuable opportunity. During this occasion, the Rector delivered a presentation titled "International Class." As we know, the Faculty of Agriculture has been actively working toward the target of an international class program in its study programs through workshops, training, and various collaborations with universities across Indonesia and internationally.
"This program cannot be accomplished quickly. We need to prioritize our efforts within certain timeframes and set subsequent priorities for the next periods. This is the step we need to understand together. Therefore, we need to be efficient due to limitations such as funding and human resources," said Dr. Muryanto, Rector of USU.
The key issues related to institutional management systems discussed in his presentation included five main problems: learning methods, learning processes, soft & hardware facilities, faculty quality, and curriculum.
In response, Dr. Muryanto, Rector of USU, provided solutions to achieve an international class at the Faculty of Agriculture. Some components that need to be implemented include:
- Lecturers must prepare RPS (Syllabus) based on OBE as the basis for course instruction.
- Learning must be collaborative/participatory, involving practitioners/foreign lecturers as part of the RPS.
- RPS must be a learning contract, and students should be aware of their rights regarding course assessment systems documented in E-Learning.
- Research and PKM (Community Service) must be an essential part of the learning modules/models in classrooms.
- E-Learning will be a tool to assess the implementation of learning according to OBE.
- The strengths of international class learning will be published as a highlight of the faculty's profile on the USU lecturer directory website, usu.ac.id.
"Agriculture is one example with its proactive programs. Its study programs have taken the initiative to request BPM (Accreditation Body) to participate in international accreditation programs. This shows a commitment from the faculty, which has been demonstrated by independently organizing the ASIIN workshop," said Dr. dr. Isti, Chair of the Quality Management Unit.
This marks a bright future for the Faculty of Agriculture as its study programs receive an open reception with opportunities to establish international classes, considering the numerous opportunities and support from the university.
Despite some challenges with the faculty’s infrastructure and facilities, the "Rector Greets" program has provided solutions and a clear path forward. As the Rector emphasized, prioritizing tasks will help achieve the goals of the international class in the study programs at the Faculty of Agriculture, USU.
