Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), welcomed a delegation from the Graduate School of Halu Oleo University (UHO) for a benchmarking visit focusing on curriculum development and study program governance. The visit also marked the signing of a Cooperation Agreement on the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, academic development, and human resource enhancement.

The agreement was signed by the Dean of FEB UNS, Prof. Bhimo Rizky Samudro, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., and the Director of the Graduate School of Halu Oleo University, Prof. Dr. Ir. La Ode Safuan, M.P. The partnership provides a framework for both institutions to strengthen the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education through various academic initiatives while enhancing the competencies of academic staff and Academic Support Staff.

The scope of the agreement includes planning and implementing programs related to the Tri Dharma of Higher Education and human resource development. It also opens opportunities for both institutions to utilize each other’s facilities, infrastructure, and expertise according to their respective capacities. The implementation of technical programs will be carried out by the relevant units within each institution and evaluated periodically to support the continued development of the partnership.

Following the signing ceremony, the delegation participated in a benchmarking session between the Master’s Program in Economics at the Graduate School of Halu Oleo University and the Development Economics Study Program at FEB UNS. Held in the Meeting Room I on the second floor of the Soeharno TS Building, the session formed part of both institutions’ commitment to Continuous Quality Improvement.

Through the benchmarking activities, the Master’s Program in Economics at the Graduate School of Halu Oleo University gained valuable insights and best practices to support improvements in the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. Both study programs also agreed to strengthen their academic network through joint research, scholarly publications, Community Engagement, guest speaker exchanges, faculty capacity development, and other collaborative academic activities.

In his welcoming remarks, the Dean of FEB UNS, Prof. Bhimo Rizky Samudro, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., expressed his appreciation for the visit and his hope that the partnership would continue to grow through a wide range of academic collaborations. “Welcome to the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Hopefully, this meeting will enable us to engage in more intensive discussions, strengthen collaboration in education and research, and develop various forms of cooperation that will benefit both institutions.”

Prof. Bhimo also introduced the continuing development of FEB UNS’s academic programs, which now encompass bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across a broad range of academic specializations. He explained that this diversity creates greater opportunities for collaboration with higher education institutions from various regions.

Representing the Director of the Graduate School of Halu Oleo University, the Vice Director of the Graduate School explained that FEB UNS was selected as the benchmarking destination because of the strong reputation of its Development Economics Study Program and its recognized best practices in academic management.

He noted that the Graduate School of Halu Oleo University is currently undertaking a curriculum redesign process and therefore seeks references from universities with extensive experience and proven achievements in academic governance.

“We came to learn and bring home best practices that we can implement at Halu Oleo University. Beyond benchmarking, we also hope this partnership will develop into collaborative education, joint research, visiting professor programs, and other academic activities that will provide mutual benefits.”

The cooperation agreement will remain in effect for four years from the date of signing and may be extended or renewed based on the results of a joint evaluation. Through this partnership, FEB UNS and the Graduate School of Halu Oleo University reaffirm their shared commitment to strengthening the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, advancing academic development, and enhancing the quality of human resources through mutually agreed collaborative programs.