FISIP UPNYK Holds International Accreditation by FIBAA, the First in UPNYK

INFOUPNYK - The Faculty of Social Sciences and Political Science at the National Development University "Veteran" Yogyakarta (FISIP UPNYK) organized an international standard accreditation through the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA). This activity marks the first time such accreditation has been conducted at UPNYK. The series of activities took place in the Seminar Room of FISIP, Campus 2 UPNYK, and was held for three days from February 27 to 29, 2024.

This accreditation activity was participated in by 5 departments and study programs at FISIP UPNYK, including the Department of International Relations, the Department of Business Administration, the Communication Science program, the Public Relations program, and the Master of Communication Science program. Throughout the event, all academic elements from each department and program, as well as students and alumni, were involved.

Dr. Machya Astuti Dewi, Dra., M.Si., the Dean of FISIP UPNYK, stated that by obtaining international accreditation, she hopes to encourage all study programs to increase their international activities. Regardless of the accreditation outcome, the Dean expressed her desire for both students and faculty to contribute more to international activities.

"We (FISIP) feel that whatever the result, it is the result of the hard work of all academic communities at FISIP UPNYK. When we achieve international accreditation, it means that both students and faculty must increase their implementation of the three pillars of higher education internationally," the Dean said in an interview (27/2/2024).

In the implementation of teaching and learning processes, FISIP UPNYK has long held international activities such as international classes and research abroad. According to the Dean, this is in line with FISIP UPNYK's goal of applying for international accreditation, which is also regulated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology through the Key Performance Indicators for Higher Education.

"Furthermore, we have initiated international activities long ago. We have international classes in International Relations and Communication Science. This means that FISIP is actually ready, so this step is appropriate. Moreover, there are regulations from the ministry for all universities to obtain international accreditation," added Dr. Machya.

Hestutomo Restu Kuncoro, SIP., MA., the coordinator of this activity, stated that the reason FISIP UPNYK applied for accreditation through FIBAA is because this institution is considered to have views that align with UPNYK's vision. UPNYK aims for its alumni to not only be academically competent but also capable of directly impacting society.

"The reason we chose FIBAA is because this institution is globally recognized and has conducted accreditations in various countries, and FIBAA also believes that study programs should equip their students with the skills needed in the practical world," he explained.

He added that the main criterion is a balance between scholarly competence and preparation for practice in the workplace.

"FIBAA also requires balance, so theoretical abilities are supported by practical skills. This aligns with UPNYK's vision, which aims not only to teach scholarly knowledge but also how its students can contribute to society," concluded the International Relations Department lecturer.

Separately, one of the FIBAA Assessors, Prof. Sabine, stated that their team deliberately came to confirm the reports that had previously been submitted to FIBAA. "... we are checking what was written in the previous report because there are some things that cannot be seen (so they need to be confirmed). We check programs, curricula, faculty, students, international strategies, and much more," she explained during a campus tour at Campus 1 UPNYK, on Tuesday (27/2/2024). The FIBAA visitation team expressed appreciation for all students involved in the activity.