Director of of Higher Education, Dr. Lukman, S.T., M.Hum, attended a PSDKU meeting on November 11, 2023, at ITB’s Cirebon Campus. On the occasion, he acknowledged ITB for being able to implement PSDKU and its role in developing the Rebana Region. Additionally, he gave further directives to various rectors from other universities who also attended the meeting.

“Opening access to universities is neither easy nor cheap,” he stated. In building a university, one needs access, money, and time to achieve quality. However, these challenges can be minimized with PSKU, whose quality is expected to match that of the main campus.

He further explained that PSDKU was a solution to overcome the educational participation rate in a region. Many regions in Indonesia still have a low Gross Participation Rate (APK) of State Universities, including Cirebon with a mere 11% APK. To rectify this, PSDKU enables popular universities to collaborate with local governments more effectively, which develops the program further. As such, the region will now have a university with guaranteed quality. “One prime example is ITB, which has garnered 90% support from the Provincial Government of West Java,” he said.

In contrast, there were several points that he addressed to the attending rectors. Firstly, PSDKU comes as a way to solve low APK, aiming to bolster human resources in a region. Secondly, PSDKU’s quality is assured as the program is the direct descendant of a university whose graduates are widely trusted and respected. Thirdly, PSDKU is the product of collaboration, which means that the rectors can promote the program in their respective regions so that PSDKU can be of utmost benefit.

He also explained that PSDKU is currently being reviewed so that it can collaborate with every region and comply with laws and regulations. “PSDKU does not seek quality, but rather the impact of APK on each region,” he said.

The development of the Cirebon Campus was a tangible effort by ITB to promote research and contribute to the development of human resources, both regionally and nationally.

All programs at the Cirebon Campus, such as student admissions, academic and student affairs, finance, infrastructure development, and graduation systems, are still done centrally by ITB. Moreover, the Directorate of ITB Cirebon Campus (DKIC) acts as the representative of various faculties, schools, and other entities. DKIC’s main purpose is to help coordinate, facilitate, and monitor numerous programs in academic affairs and infrastructure development.

Reporter: Pravito Septadenova Dwi Ananta (Geological Engineering ‘19)

Indonesian Editor: M. Naufal Hafizh

Translator: Ariq Ramadhan Teruna (Chemical Engineering ‘21)

English Editor: Anggi Nurdiani (Manajemen, 2021)