Langsa- Universitas Samudra (Unsam) has signed a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) with the Directorate of Learning and Student Affairs (Ditbelmawa) of the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology, concerning the Merdeka Student Exchange Program (PMM) of the Merdeka Campus Program (MBKM).
The PKS signing ceremony was conducted by the Chancellor of Universitas Samudra, Prof. Dr. Ir. Hamdani, M.T., IPM, represented by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Universitas Samudra, Dr. Ir. Cut Mulyani, M.P., and Dr. Ir. Sri Gunani Partiwi, M.T., who acted as the Plt. Director of Learning and Student Affairs at the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology. The event was also witnessed by the Plt. Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology, Prof. Ir. Nizam, M.Sc., DIC., Ph.D., IPU., ASEAN Eng. The ceremony took place in the Auditorium Room on the 2nd Floor of Building D at the Ministry of Education and Culture in Jakarta on Thursday, June 15, 2023.
This activity was attended by PMM Program Leaders and Coordinators from universities selected as Implementing Recipients of the 2023 Batch 3 Merdeka Student Exchange Program. These universities come from both state and private universities, academies, and vocational colleges from all over Indonesia.
During his speech, Plt. Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology, Prof. Ir. Nizam, M.Sc., DIC., Ph.D., expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the universities that have agreed to participate as recipient universities in the Independent Campus PMM program, which has been running for three years now.
Additionally, it is expected that the PMM Cooperation agreement will enhance collaboration among tertiary institutions in Indonesia. This collaboration will involve sharing knowledge and practical experiences with students, ultimately leading to tangible improvements in the field of education. Prof. Ir. Nizam also extended an invitation to each university to consider implementing the Mandiri PMM Program in the future.
Asri Aldila Putri, S.Sos., M.Sc., the Head of the Merdeka Campus Program and the Merdeka Student Exchange, mentioned during this event that PMM brings several benefits, including the enhancement of students’ soft skills and adaptability. It provides opportunities for students to gain new experiences, appreciate the values of diversity, encompassing various ethnicities, beliefs, cultures, and languages, and fosters friendships across different cultures and customs.
“Students participating in PMM activities often find a significant improvement in their adaptability and greatly enhanced interpersonal communication skills,” she stated.
The Coordinator of the Merdeka Student Exchange Program at Universitas Samudra, Dr. Iswayudi, S.P., M.Si, who was also present at this activity, informed the Public Relations team that Universitas Samudra had previously been chosen as one of the Implementing Universities to host students from the 2023 Merdeka Student Exchange Program (PMM) under the Ministry of Education’s Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek).
Dr. Iswayudi stated, “In Indonesia, there are currently 500 universities and academies participating in the selection process, and out of those, 204 universities and academies were selected, including Universitas Samudra.”
Dr. Iswahyudi elaborated that the Merdeka Student Exchange is one of the nine MBKM programs initiated by the ministry, which started in 2021, continued in 2022, and is now in its third year. Universitas Samudra has shown a solid commitment to achieving its University’s Key Performance Indicators (IKU), one of which involves the implementation of the PMM program as part of MBKM. This program has been in operation at Universitas Samudra since 2021 and serves as an essential element in achieving the University’s KPIs, which are fundamental for advancing the education system in Indonesia.
In 2023, Unsam is set to welcome Inbound PMM students from universities outside of Sumatra. These students have been selected from a pool of 149 individuals out of the 150 available quotas allocated for Unsam. Dr. Iswahyudi clarified, “149 students successfully passed the selection process, and although initially, there were 150 quotas, one student withdrew. These inbound students come from 69 state and private universities located outside the island of Sumatra. The largest group is from Trunojoyo Madura University, with the most popular study program being the Elementary School Teacher Education Program.”
“Meanwhile, 385 students from Unsam participated in the selection for Outbound PMM. Out of these, 180 successfully graduated, while 6 withdrew. Consequently, 174 of our students will be studying at other universities across 72 universities outside of Sumatra.”
PMM students not only have the chance to study off-campus for one semester but also receive a conversion value equivalent to 20 credits. The PMM Batch 3 for 2023 is scheduled to commence in September.
With this information, Dr. Iswahyudi concluded his statement. (Humas Unsam)