Dr. Feri Kusnandar Was Elected to be the Chairman of the Study Program of Indonesia for the Year for 2014
Another one of the Academicians of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) again promoted IPB through the achievement he made. Each year, the Directorate of Education and Education Personnel (DIT. Diktendik) of the Directorate General of Higher Education (DIKTI) elects Lecturer and Education Personnel of the year of Indonesia. In 2014, Dr. Feri Kusnandar was selected to be Chairman of the Study Program of the year for 2014 of Indonesia.
Dr. Feri Kusnandar is Chairman of the Food Technology Study Program (Kepala Program Studi), Faculty of Agricultural Technology (Fateta) of IPB. After was selected to be the Chairman of the Study Program (Kaprodi) of the Year for 2014 of IPB, Dr. Feri was sent to the similar competition on the national level, in Jakarta. For the selection process, Dr. Feri prepared a special work on the management of the study program on “Mewujudkan Visi Program Studi Teknologi Pangan dengan Berbagai Program Inisiatif Inovatif dalam Menghasilkan Lulusan Bertalenta, Kompeten dan Berdaya Saing Global (Developing the Vision Food Technology Study Program by Producing the variety of Initiative Innovative Program to Produce talented, Competent and Competitive Globally Graduates).
The national level contestants were from various public and private universities throughout Indonesia, Dr. Feri was selected to be among the 15 best finalists. The finalists were invited by DIKTI to present their works in front of the jury on 26-28 October 2014, in Jakarta.
"It was really tough competition. As Chairman of the Study Program of other universities are very creative and innovative. I presented the process how our Studies Program (PS) on Food Technology had achieved to be accredited internationally by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) in 2010 and the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) in 2013. The judges really appreciated how the process was carried out to develop the international reputation, as well as the initiatives to manage the study program, "said Dr. Feri.
This gentleman who has Food Chemistry expertise stated that the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 will become great challenges for Indonesia in the near future. It is well-understood as with implementation of AFTA at the end of 2015 Indonesia will face the mobility of skilled labour from other ASEAN member countries. This means that the graduates of Food Technology Study Program will compete with other graduates from other ASEAN universities who try to get better opportunities on the region.
To realize its international vision and produce graduates who are ready to face the global challenges, Food Technology Study Program must develop international-based specific curriculum recommended by IFT and match to the Indonesian National Qualifications Framework (KKNI).
Dr Feri stated, "I am happy as our hard work to manage our Study Program is well-appreciated by the government. This award is not for me personally, but for all both faculty , staff members and students of Food Technology Study Program. "
"The most difficult work to be the chairman Food Technology Study Program is to maintain the reputation developed by the previous Chairmen. In 2010, the Food Technology Study Program was internationally accredited by the national accreditation of BAN-PT with a very high score (390). The Previous Chairman, Dr. Dahrul Shah, was also elected to the Chairman of the Study Program (Kaprodi) of the Year for 2009. So I have to make efforts and innovations to maintain and even improve the reputation he got, if possible from the national to be the international level, "continued Dr. Feri.
One of efforts carried out was the provision of facilities for students to participate in the International Student Mobility program. This was carried out in collaboration with various universities abroad. Within the last three years (2011-2014) a total of 83 (eighty three) students of Food Technology Study Program participated in such program at various universities in the ASEAN member countries and Japan.
Recognition and international reputation for Study Program on Food Technology are increasing. It was proved by the increased number of overseas university partners which established partnership with the International Mobility for Students Program. Initially, there were only 3 (three) universities in 2010, then the number increased to be 14 (fourteen) universities in 2014, they are from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Japan. The number of out- and incoming students enrolled in the study program were also increased, i.e. 78 (seventy eight) students during the period of 2011-2014. An increasing number of incoming students also have impacted on increased number of English courses which are offered for foreign students.
"I hope the trust, recognition, and reputation of the Study Program on Food Technology given by partners will increase, and the number of foreign students who apply for admission will improve in the near future. I also expect a lot of foreign students who enrol for full degree program will also increase. International class is currently being prepared to be participated by foreign students, "said Dr. Ferries. (Wied).
