Tuesday, June 4 2024, in the Meeting Room on the 2nd floor of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya (FFMS UB), a discussion was held discussing the Independent Learning Campus (MBKM) internship plan from FFMS UB at the Situbondo Service Branch. This discussion is also an opportunity to share experiences and information regarding the implementation of MBKM at FFMS UB, including industrial internship and research activities by undergraduate students. This event was attended by several important figures, including the Dean of FFMS UB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Maftuch, MSi., and Deputy Dean III, Dr. Eng. Abu Bakar Sambah, S.Pi., MT., who is responsible for Student Affairs, Alumni and Student Entrepreneurship. Also present were the Head of the Department, Secretary of the Department, Expert Staff to the Deputy Dean, as well as the MBKM FFMS UB team.
Starting the discussion meeting, the Dean of FFMS UB gave a speech which underlined that this event was a continuation of the FFMS UB working meeting involving the Dean, Vice Deans, and Head of Department with the Head of DKP East Java, which included a discussion regarding performance competencies for students and staff at FFMS UB , as well as cooperation related to the implementation of MBKM.
On this occasion, the Dean also explained the importance of increasing student competency through MBKM. This cannot be separated from strong collaboration between educational institutions and industry or government institutions. It is hoped that the UPT and the East Java Provincial Service Branch can become a bridge in building competency through the implementation of MBKM. Of course, there needs to be further discussion regarding the appropriate system.
The second speech was from the Head of the Situbondo Regency Maritime and Fisheries Service Branch who highlighted the MBKM program managed by FFMS UB as well as plans for cooperation with the Service Branch. There are several aspects that must be fulfilled in this collaboration. Previously, FFMS UB had collaborated with the Head of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Service (DKP), which had previously been explained by the Dean of FFMS UB in a meeting with the Head of DKP, Secretary and Head of the East Java Province Division. To continue these steps, a follow-up meeting is needed to discuss the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the MBKM program. The authority to establish this collaboration is in the hands of the East Java DKP. The Situbondo Service Branch can only provide information regarding the number of Technical Implementation Units (UPT) and work areas. The work area of the Situbondo Service Branch covers 11 regions, namely Bangkalan, Sampang, Pamekasan, Sumenep, Banyuwangi, Jember, Probolinggo, Situbondo, Lumajang and Bondowoso. Apart from that, the Service Branch will convey information regarding this discussion event to the head of the East Java DKP in the context of cooperation plans related to the implementation of MBKM. Therefore, the next step will focus on arranging follow-up meetings to ensure that all cooperation requirements can be met and the MoU regarding MBKM can be agreed and implemented immediately.
Next, Dr. Eng. Abu Bakar Sambah, S.Pi., MT said in order to fulfill the achievement of the main performance indicators of FFMS UB in the field of student affairs, especially related to student activities outside campus which continue to increase. In this context, FFMS UB needs to prepare Human Resources (HR) who are ready to enter the workforce and have competencies that have been provided theoretically during college, and now need to be applied practically. He underlined the importance for FFMS UB to equip students with these competencies before they graduate and become alumni. In an effort to face this challenge, FFMS UB took the initiative to collaborate with Provincial Services, especially those in charge of several laboratories and lower institutions, which can work together in improving student competency in MBKM. There are Laboratories or Technical Implementation Units (UPT), 40 to be precise, under the auspices of the East Java Province Maritime and Fisheries Service which can collaborate for the implementation of MBKM organized by the Faculty.
To start this process, the MBKM team has planned to identify the locations of the 40 UPTs, taking into account their fields and study programs at FFMS UB. In this discussion event, it is important to discuss the implementation agreement plan, including determining the duties, rights and obligations of each party, as well as the technical implementation. Apart from that, it is necessary to prepare a joint curriculum for MBKM, which must be adapted to the curriculum at FFMS UB. The target for MBKM is between 10 and 20 credits, with a maximum of 20 credits and a minimum of 10 credits, so the MBKM team needs to design a curriculum that suits the expected competencies, which will facilitate the recognition process after students complete MBKM at UPT. [ALF/YFS]
