IPB University’s 63rd MPKMB Equips New Students with Competencies, Character, and Experience
IPB University’s 63rd New Student Orientation Program (MPKMB) serves as an initial platform for new students to familiarize themselves with the campus environment while preparing to face various future challenges. The event took place from Monday (6/10) through Friday (8/14) and featured a record breaking achievement.
At the opening ceremony, messages about competencies, character, collaboration, and the courage to contribute were central themes throughout the series of activities.
At the Dramaga Campus, IPB University Rector Dr Alim Setiawan Slamet delivered several important messages to prepare the students for their new lives as freshmen. He positioned students as the vanguard of change through their roles as agents of change, agents of development, and agents of social control.
“Students need to be prepared to face food and energy crises, climate change, the biodiversity crisis, the information technology revolution, and geopolitical upheavals,” said Dr Alim while welcoming 5.512 new undergraduate (S1) students at Grha Widya Wisuda (8/10).
To that end, he continued, students need to possess five key traits: competence, a global mindset, integrity, resilience, and empathy. He cited the stories of Prof Andi Hakim Nasoetion, Norman Borlaug, Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, Wangari Maathai, and Kasim Arifin as examples of how knowledge, perseverance, collaboration, and the courage to take action can bring about change.
“Being a student means changing the way you think. In the past, you were given answers, now you must ask questions. In the past, you memorized; now you must analyze. In the past, you sought the truth, now you must discover it for yourselves,” he said.
“Don’t ask me what you’ll get after graduating, but ask what you’ll contribute after graduating,” Dr Alim advised.
He hopes that the title Mahadipta Nabhaskara, bestowed upon the new students, can be realized through tangible contributions that benefit society, not merely as a means to seek personal recognition.
“Be a light. Not a blinding light, but a guiding light. Not a scorching ray, but a warming one. Be a source of inspiration for your families, the community, and the nation,” he continued.
SV MPKMB Opens Opportunities for Overseas Internships
Meanwhile, the first day of the 63rd MPKMB event at the Vocational School (SV) was attended by 2.89 new students. Vice Rector for Education and Student Affairs, Prof Deni Noviana, encouraged students not only to become graduates with diplomas but also to become individuals capable of solving various problems.
“Students are expected to be able to identify problems in their surroundings and provide solutions through science, technology, innovation, and collaboration,” he said while attending the 63rd MPKMB at the Vocational School in the SV Gymnasium at IPB University (8/10).
Meanwhile, the Dean of the Vocational School, Dr Aceng Hidayat, encouraged new students to take advantage of various international opportunities, including overseas internship opportunities.
He noted that IPB University’s Vocational School has established partnerships with various educational institutions and partners in several countries, including Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, and Germany.
“Who wants to do an internship in Japan?” Dr Aceng asked the new students, to enthusiastic responses.
According to him, these partnerships open up broader opportunities for students to gain international experience through exchange programs, academic activities, and internships abroad.
Dr Aceng added that internships are a crucial component of vocational education. Through hands on industry experience, students can directly understand the dynamics of the workplace, not only from a theoretical perspective but also by tackling real-world challenges, developing professionalism, working in teams, and understanding industry needs and demands.
“We want students to take full advantage of these opportunities. The experience of studying and working in an international environment will be an important asset when you enter the workforce,” he said.
He also urged all new students to make the most of their learning opportunities at the IPB University Vocational School.
“Study diligently, take advantage of the facilities and various opportunities available, build your network, participate in both academic and non academic activities, and prepare yourselves to become competent graduates capable of contributing to Indonesia,” he concluded. (Ez/dh) (IAAS/WSG)
