The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) of Universitas Jember held a three-day Focus Group Discussion (FGD) from September 27 to 29, 2024, aimed at enhancing the quality of learning through an institutional redesign of the Public Administration (PA) program’s laboratory. This initiative is a direct implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by FISIP UNEJ with the Jember Regency Community Empowerment and Village Agency (DPMD) and several renowned universities, including Lambung Mangkurat University, Diponegoro University, Gadjah Mada University, and Brawijaya University.
Officially opened by FISIP UNEJ Dean, Dr. Djoko Poernomo, M.Si., CQNR., CSBA, the FGD was attended by various stakeholders, including the Head of the PA Program, Dr. Dina Suryani, M.Si, the Head of the Administration Department, Dr. Selfi Hepiastuti, M.Si, the Head of the Administrative Section, Ariestina Martinigsih, S.Sos, and all PA program lecturers. Representatives from partner universities, such as Puguh Prasetyo Utomo (UGM), Ika Wanusmawatie (UNIBRAW), and Amni Rahman (Diponegoro University), as well as a representative from the Dean of Lambung Mangkurat University, were also present. Additionally, representatives from the Jember Regency Government attended in person to show their support.
During the FGD, participants intensively discussed various aspects of the PA program’s laboratory redesign, ranging from facility development and equipment upgrades to the development of practical curricula relevant to the job market. The expectation is that this FGD will yield concrete recommendations to improve the quality of learning in the PA program’s laboratory, enabling PA graduates to be more competitive in the workforce.
The collaboration between FISIP UNEJ and various stakeholders is expected to enrich the knowledge and perspectives of participants and strengthen the network of cooperation among universities. Furthermore, this event serves as tangible proof of FISIP UNEJ’s commitment to improving the quality of higher education in Indonesia