FMIPA UI Chemistry Masters Study Program Achieves RSC International Accreditation

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI) has successfully achieved accreditation from the international institution The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for its Masters of Chemistry study program.

This was conveyed directly by the RSC team on December 10, 2022, via an official email. Meanwhile, the accreditation certificate itself was received by the leadership of FMIPA UI on Thursday, January 5, 2023.

This study program follows the success of the undergraduate chemistry study program which previously received the same accreditation in 2019.

The RSC accreditation of the Master of Chemistry study program was obtained after going through an assessment and visitation process by 2 independent assessors, namely Dr. Jason Lynam FRSC from the University of York and Dr. Richard Ansell, MA, Cchem, MRSC from the University of Leeds, as well as 1 from the RSC secretariat, namely Miss Kim Smith CChem MRSC on (Tuesday, November 3, 2022).

RSC (Royal Society of Chemistry) is a professional organization association cendekiawan in Britania Raya which aims to develop science kimia. Through accreditation, RSC promotes good practices in university chemistry education, and ensure that future chemical scientists have broad and competent knowledge.

Dean of FMIPA UI Dede Djuhana, Ph.D. said "This achievement of international accreditation strengthens the evidence of FMIPA UI's performance, especially in the Main Performance Indicator (IKU) 8, namely the number of internationally accredited study programs".

Furthermore, the Dean assessed that the ranks in the Department of Chemistry were quite adaptive in responding to various policy changes, so that they could quickly adjust to new regulations related to international accreditation and the like.

"Thanks to the good foundation in the Department of Chemistry, starting from the quality of human resources, management, facilities, and its academicians who are productive in producing international journal publications," said the Dean.

The Dean hopes that all study programs at FMIPA UI that have achieved international accreditation can strengthen their networks with international partners.

According to the Head of the Academic Quality Assurance Unit of FMIPA UI, Dr. Denny R. Silaban, M.Kom., as a special accreditation institution in the field of chemistry, RSC has determined
various assessment indicators consisting of aims of the department, delivery methods, transferable skills, quality assurance, resources, laboratory facilities, library and it resources, safety and practical documentation, laboratory supervision, inclusion and diversity, staff development, academic development and wellbeing, feedback from previous accreditation.

Furthermore, Dr. Denny explained that the RSC accreditation process for the Chemistry Masters Study Program is not much different from the accreditation process for the Chemistry Bachelors Study Program. The assessment focuses on the quality of learning, including the department's vision and mission which are stated in the LO (learning outcomes), strategic plan namely strategies for graduates to achieve LO, curriculum, improving student skills through practical activities, opportunities for students to undertake Field Work Practices, and a system for implementing students' final assignments.

However, in the Master of Chemistry Study Program, more emphasis is placed on the depth and breadth of chemical knowledge taught, the suitability of teaching methods, and assessment methods. Not only that, Dr. Denny also said that professional skills, practical skills, learning environment, and project work are also things that are considered in the assessment.

"Not much different (Accreditation process for S1 and S2 study programs), for S2 more emphasis is placed on the depth of knowledge provided, the suitability of teaching methods and assessment methods for the master's level. Besides that Professional skill, praktical skill, learning environment, dan project work juga turut diperhatikan.

Head of the Chemistry Department, Dr. Asep Sefumillah, said that the quality of the study program must have an impact on society, nation, and state, especially in producing superior, competitive, innovative human resources that are adaptive to change.

With this accreditation achievement, the Department of Chemistry and its study programs gain various benefits, including having added value for graduates so that they are more superior and competitive in entering the job market, having a selling point for prospective new students to register to continue their studies at the UI Department of Chemistry, wider opportunities in obtaining research funds and scholarships in addition to increasing international recognition, so that they have more opportunities to expand their international collaboration networks.

"The benefits of this RSC accreditation for the Department of Chemistry are increasing the confidence of our alumni in starting their careers, and providing wider opportunities for students and lecturers in networking collaborations with academic and research partners at the national and international levels," said Dr. Asep.

News source : https://sci.ui.ac.id/