Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) held a series of World Class Professor (WCP) activities in 2022 by inviting a partner professor from Dongguk University, South Korea. The program, which was funded by the Education Fund Management Institute (LPDP) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology was successful and is expected to be able to contribute to the achievement of several Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for institutions, both faculties and universities.
This activity was coordinated by Prof. Sal Prima Yudha S (S1-Chemistry Study Program) together with Dr. Charles Banon (S2-Chemistry Study Program), apt. Reza Pertiwi, M. Farm. (S1-Pharmacy Study Program) and Deni Agus Triawan, M.Sc. (D3-Science Laboratory Study Program).
WCP began with the Team Leader’s visit as a Visiting Professor to Dongguk University, South Korea from October 3 to 19, 2022. While at Dongguk University, the main activity was to conduct discussions on strengthening manuscripts that would be published together. In addition, it discussed the partnership and increased knowledge of South Korean culture.
The visit to the WCP program is reciprocal, Prof Jeong In Han visited Indonesia on October 21, 2022 and had a discussion with Prof. Sal Prima Yudha S, the recipient of the WCP program from University of Bengkulu who is also the host faculty for various activities carried out.
Then, on October 24, 2022, the professor from Dongguk University kept in touch with the university leadership and met with the Vice Rector for Planning and Cooperation of UNIB, Prof. Dr. Irfan Gustian who was accompanied by the Head of Partnership and International Affairs Office (KSLI), Ade Sri Wahyuni, Ph.D. and the Dean of FMIPA UNIB, Dr. Jarulis.
Furthermore, several satellite activities were carried out in collaboration with the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) with the Research Center of Sumatra Natural Products and Functional Materials-RC-SuNaPFuMa at the Research and Community Service Office (LPPM) of University of Bengkulu. Meetings with department heads and lecturers at the Department of Chemistry, FMIPA UNIB were also held during the satellite activity on October 25, 2022 at the Amaris Hotel, Bengkulu City.
On that day, the main activity was the Teaching Science Workshop which examined how the field of science was developed at the invited resource university, namely Prof. Jeong In Han (Dongguk University, South Korea), Dr. Suripto Dwi Yuwono (Department of Chemistry, FMIPA, University of Lampung) and Dr. Subhan Salaeh (Prince Songkla University, Thailand).
The three speakers explained how the curriculum and learning system were implemented on their respective campuses. This is expected to add insight to the participants, most of whom were lecturers in the Chemistry Department, FMIPA (Bachelor of Chemistry, Bachelor of Pharmacy, and Master of Chemistry Study Program) as well as several students from Master of Chemistry.
The Workshop on Publication Strategy was also held at the Amaris Hotel on October 26, 2022. This workshop activity invited 3 (three) speakers, namely, Dr. Nazarudin (University of Jambi), Dr. Mohamad Rafi (Bogor Agricultural Institute), and Prof. Jeong In Han (Dongguk University). Participants consisting of Lecturers of the Department of Chemistry and students from Master of Chemistry received enlightenment on how to publish the prepared manuscripts in journals according to their respective levels.
Next, on 27 October 2022, the activity was continued with a One Day Seminar on Science and Technology which brought 3 (three) keynote speakers, namely Prof. John Hendri (University of Lampung), Prof. Jeong In Han (Dongguk University), and Dr. Subhan Salaeh (Prince Songkla University). Prof. John Hendri explained how to use natural resources as an alternative to providing antifungal and antibacterial products. While prof. Jeong In Han explained the development of Flexible Devices and their use in today’s information technology and electronics, and Dr. Subhan Salaeh explained how the technology for using rubber and its application has been developed in his laboratory.
Further, WCP from Dongguk University gave a public lecture on October 28, 2022 in the Meeting Room of the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The activity was officially opened by the Dean of FMIPA UNIB and was attended by students from various study programs at FMIPA UNIB. This public lecture raised the topic “How to Study in Korea and How to Survive”. The resource person explained the various types of opportunities to study in South Korea, including various information on scholarships available both nationally and provided by Dongguk University.
The presence of WCP is not only related to academic activities, but also related to cultural exchanges. WCP partners were also introduced to Indonesian cuisine, especially those in Bengkulu Province, such as Bengkulu specialties and also durian fruit which is difficult to find in South Korea. It is hoped that this will also provide additional insight for WCP about Indonesia and Bengkulu.
“Thanks to good cooperation between all parties, the WCP FMIPA UNIB 2022 activity was a success. We hope that this program with a financing scheme from LPDP can contribute to the achievement of institutional KPIs, both faculty and university KPIs,” said Prof. Sal Prima Yudha.
The KPI is related to KPI (IKU) number 3 concerning Lecturers with Tridharma Activities Outside Campus; IKU number 4 concerning Lecturers with doctoral qualifications, having competency/professional certifications or lecturers from professional practitioners, the industrial world or the world of work. Then, IKU number 5 concerning Lecturers’ Work Results Used by the Community or Received International Recognition; And IKU number 6 concerning Study Programs in Collaboration with World Class Partners. [Author : Sal Prima Yudha, Editor : Purna Herawan/Humas].