IPB University’s FEMA Officially Renamed FISEMA, Ready to Launch New Degree Programs
IPB University continues to undergo institutional and academic transformation in line with the academic framework established by the Academic Senate. In line with this major initiative, the Faculty of Human Ecology (FEMA) has now officially been transformed into the Faculty of Social and Human Ecology (FISEMA).
The Dean of FISEMA at IPB University, Prof Sofyan Sjaf, explained that this change is not merely a name change but part of a more adaptive and relevant academic restructuring.
“IPB is undergoing transformation not only in structure but also in academic content. The faculty must certainly align with the established academic architecture,” he said.
Currently, FISEMA oversees two undergraduate programs (S1), namely Communication and Community Development (KPM) and Family and Consumer Sciences; three master’s programs (Family Science and Child Development, Communication in Agricultural and Rural Development, and Rural Sociology); and three doctoral programs (Family Science, Communication in Agricultural and Rural Development, and Rural Sociology). With a now stronger foundation in the social sciences, this transformation is viewed as a strategic step.
This year, Prof Sofyan said, FISEMA aims to launch two new undergraduate programs: Sociology and Human Geography. Consequently, the programs in the Community Development field will expand to three: Community Development and Communication, Sociology, and Human Geography.
“We will certainly update the curriculum. Communication will focus more on communication from a community development perspective. Meanwhile, Sociology and Human Geography will develop new curricula in line with the needs of the times,” explained Prof Sofyan.
He noted that academic development will not stop there. In its roadmap through 2031, FISEMA aims to launch new programs such as Consumer Science, Family and Child Development, Psychology, Political Science, International Relations, Anthropology, Law, and Public Policy.
“We want to build the distinctiveness of IPB’s social sciences. The focus remains on agromaritime communities, highland communities, lowland communities, and coastal communities. These are our primary areas of analysis,” he added.
In the field of research, FISEMA is championing a major agenda for rural transformation. One of these is through a research collaboration with China Agricultural University (CAU) to develop methodologies and the Precision Village Data (DDP) database.
“Alhamdulillah, the DDP is now in demand across various regions, including Maluku and Papua. In fact, the Legislative Body of the Indonesian House of Representatives is currently considering adopting it as part of the ‘One Data Indonesia’ methodology,” revealed Prof Sofyan. According to him, this recognition indicates that the university’s innovations are beginning to be acknowledged at the national policy level.
He views this transformation as a strategic step to ensure the development of social sciences at IPB University remains relevant, contextual, and globally competitive. “In line with IPB’s vision as a globally renowned institution, FISEMA will continue to strengthen its international networks while reaffirming IPB’s distinctive social science approach rooted in community engagement and regional transformation.” (AS) (IAAS/LAN)
