Practicum done by the CoE of the Mechanical Engineering of UMM in a laboratory. (Foto: Istimewa) |
The University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) always proves that it has good quality. One is through its department: mechanical engineering, which successfully obtained an eminent accreditation from the Independent Accreditation Institution (Translated: Lembaga Akreditasi Mandiri). This 5-year valid accreditation was achieved due to the attractive quality and the available education service.
The Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department, Ir Iis Siti Aisyah, S. T., M. T., Ph. D., utters that the major constantly improves many aspects to enhance internal and external quality. For instance, in 2020, the mechanical engineering team followed the Indonesian Accreditation Board for Engineering Education (IABEE) and received a PA accreditation. Then, in 2021, the team also prepared themselves for the Conversion Supplement Instrument (CSI) agenda, and finally, they successfully gained a prime score.
"CSI helps us a lot because we are already an excellent CSI. Next, we also have passed the professional accreditation process by the IABEE so that assessors' trust can increase and be proven by available services," she explained.
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Iis states that the achievement of the mechanical engineering department was from jointly hard group work since a long time ago. One of the strategies to obtain a superior accreditation is to prepare the requirements and to integrate them to all programs.
"To achieve a prime accreditation, at least, we have 30 MoUs and cooperate with the party of community service. Then, we integrate into the requirements in a course where lecturers and students convert it. It can be creating a machine and collaborating with MSMEs to develop the product. At least, one batch has established 65 partnerships (with MSMEs).", she clarified.
She also appreciates students who compactly help to enhance the department's quality. Students can agree upon all kinds of changes related to department accreditation, and they want to deal with new rules. On the other hand, various programs belonging to the major are also because of the students' hard work.
"Perhaps, this change is quite strict, but its benefits are amazing. Students are easy to adapt with new rules and to synergy. One of the interesting things is to establish a partnership with MSMEs in product development through machines created by students and lecturers. Building our exhibition is even our pride," she uttered.
The program, named "Capstone Design", has helped assessors' grading process. Primarily, it has been done by the mechanical engineering major for decades. The program value is also high enough in Iis' view.
After earning excellent accreditation from the Independent Accreditation Institution, the Mechanical Engineering major of UMM targets achieving general accreditation from the AIBEE by 2024. AIBEE is an international accreditation program, and the Accreditation Board recognises it for Engineering and Technology (ABET) in the United States.
"Hopefully, this achievement can raise our spirit to preserve and enhance the major's quality. Currently, we are swiftly preparing for an international accreditation, which aligns with the internationalisation program of UMM," she ended her statement. (imh/ros/wil)