During the initial session, Sabrina provided an overview of PK-KM, which is a funding programme that supports a range of activities aligned with the Kampus Merdeka curriculum. The programme combines all courses offered in the odd semester into Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) activities, which is equivalent to 20 credit units (SKS).

Students who join the PK-KM programme are not required to register for courses that are included in the study plan (FRS). This is because these courses are already considered to be completed through the MBKM mechanism.

The PK-KM programme is set to commence in the odd semester of 2023/2024 for the Kriya (Cirebon Campus), Oceanography (Cirebon Campus), and Food Engineering (Jatinangor Campus) Study Programmes. The Kriya Study Programme will accept a maximum of 15 students from the 2022 cohort and 8 students each from the 2021 and 2020 cohorts for the PK-KM programme.

PK-KM collaborates with various craft industries, including Studio Rotan Mastori, Batik Komar, Batik Sapu Jagat, and Kandura. In this semester-long programme, students will acquire practical work experience in the industrial sector. Practical experience complements theoretical learning acquired during studies.

In addition, students have the opportunity to establish connections with suppliers and customers of partner organizations. Sabrina emphasizes that this is crucial for students who aspire to work independently in the entrepreneurial realm.

“If you have a dream to develop your own brand or establish your own studio, this opportunity provides a great chance to network and connect with partners who may possess valuable connections.” Sabrina said.

One additional advantage of PK-KM is that students only need to pay 50% of the regular tuition fees (UKT). This is because selected students will not be taking any credit units during the odd semester of 2023/2024. Furthermore, participants will receive a monthly stipend from the programme to provide financial assistance during the PK-KM period.

However, participants in the PK-KM programme are still required to fulfill their regular coursework responsibilities for the courses that have been converted. In addition, it is required for them to provide weekly progress reports of their activities at the partner's location to both the faculty and the partner.

During the second session, Tri Hasdianto provided an explanation of the Integration Programme designed for students of the Kriya Study Programme. The fast-track of Kriya Study Programme will be replaced by this programme, as the fast-track programme will no longer be available from next year onwards. The decision to replace the fast-track programme was made due to its lack of effectiveness for Kriya students, as determined through data analysis conducted over several years.

The Integration Programme differs from the fast-track programme because it incorporates Master's degree courses during the third year of the Bachelor's degree programme. The distribution of Master's degree courses during the Bachelor's programme is two courses per semester, which is equivalent to 4-6 credit units (SKS). Upon successfully finishing the Bachelor's programme, students will have fulfilled 16-24 credit units of the Master's programme.

Students will only take the remaining Master's degree courses in their fifth year, which were not previously taken during the Bachelor's programme. The Integration Programme aims to facilitate FSRD ITB alumni in pursuing their Master's programme in a shorter time frame, while minimizing their academic burden.

This programme will serve as a replacement for the previous PPSM/fast-track programme. The Integration Programme is designed exclusively for third-year students and is open to students from the 2021 cohort,” Tri concluded.

Reporter: Hanifa Juliana

Translator: Anggi Nurdiani

Editor: Hanifa Juliana