The Student Executive Board (BEM), Student Executive Council (DEMA), Student Associations, Student Organizations, and Academic Staff in Academic and Student Affairs Sub-Division FEB UNS in Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, are participated in an Information and Dissemination on Academic, Research and Student Affairs Session, Wednesday, 13 January 2021. The online session was held to discuss 4 (four) agenda namely the change of UNS SOTK as a University as Legal Entity (PTNBH), Kampus Merdeka Program, Evaluation, and Academic and Student Affairs Information.

In his speech, Prof. Djoko Suhardjanto, M.Com, (Hons), Ph.D., Ak encouraged students to be active and participate in the international level events. The faculty will assist the students in terms of funding and training.

Prof. Djoko stated that with UNS status as Public University with Legal Entity (PTN BH), student’s activities in academic and non-academic fields should be directed to achieve international level achievements. The university, faculty, and programs will support students in their efforts to achieve such accomplishments and will take an active role in solving challenges faced by students as an effort to meet government targets for UNS to enter the Top 500 Universities in the world.

“We need to work together and work harder to achieve the target,” Prof. Djoko states.

In his direction, Prof. Djoko mentioned the adjustments that were made after UNS is granted the PTN BH status on 6 October 2020 and the leaps that must be taken. He conveyed that all community members should understand the status change, which will require UNS to achieve the target set by the government. Great leaps should be made to achieve the target, and it requires hard work from all academic members. The organizational structure of UNS has gone through a streamlining to increase its performance effectiveness.

In UNS organizational structure as a PTN BH, there are four vital organs at the executive board level; MWA, Academic Senate, Rector, and the Board of Professors. At the faculty level, Dean is assisted by Vice-Dean for Academic, Research, and Student Affairs, Vice-Dean for Human Resources, Finance, and Logistics Affairs, and Vice-Dean for Planning, Partnership, Business, and Information Affairs. Previously the Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs, Vice-Dean for Management and Financial Affairs, and Vice-Dean for Student and Alumni Affairs.

Changes also performed in the Chief of Academic Staff Administration. Previously the post was led by the Chief of Administrative Bureau and 4 officials serving as the Chief of Sub Section; now it is the Coordinator of Administrative Bureau with 2 Sub-Coordinators for Academic and Non-Academic Affairs. These changes will affect faculty activities, including the academic, student affairs, and students who need to adjust to the new arrangement.

The Vice-Dean for Academic, Research, and Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Izza Mafruhah, SE, M.Si added that students are the key to achieve the 1st and 2nd Key Performance Indicators (IKU), which focus on the percentage of Undergraduate and Diploma Program graduates who get a job, continue their study or become entrepreneurs with appropriate income outside the campus, and the percentage of Undergraduate and Diploma (D4/D3/D2) program graduates who spend at least 20 Semester Credits outside the campus or achieve at least one national-level achievement.

Prof. Izza emphasized that in addition to students’ hard skills or intellectual capability, soft skills are also vital for students to achieve an accomplishment. Students must understand the ethics in communication and deliver an opinion. Therefore, students are expected to be active in non-academic activities. “To support this effort, the faculty will issue Surat Keterangan Pendamping Ijazah (SKPI) (Attachment to Diploma),” Prof. Izza stated.

On the other hand, as Vice-Dean for Planning, Partnership, Business, and Information Affairs FEB UNS, Dr. Mugi Harsono, M.Si., stated that in Kampus Merdeka Program, students would have the independence to learn outside the campus. This program includes the village building program and a humanitarian project, which can be recognized as university courses.