Workshop on Strengthening the Vocational Faculty Curriculum, Adapting to Transformation. The University of North Sumatra (USU) held a Workshop on Strengthening the Vocational Faculty Curriculum, which took place in the Academic Senate Room of the USU Central Bureau of Administration Building on Friday (09/29/2023).

The workshop was attended by the Director of Academic Affairs for Vocational Higher Education, Dr. Beny Bandanadjaja, ST., MT, as a speaker.

In his remarks, USU Vice-Rector I for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Alumni Dr. Edy Ikhsan, SH., MA., stated that the event was significant for USU's Faculty of Vocational Education, which is still relatively new. It is essential to adjust the curriculum to the development of information technology and significant changes in the professional field.

This event is essential for USU's vocational faculty, which is still a toddler. It is important to adjust the curriculum to be relevant to the demands of the times," said Dr. Edy.

Dr. Edy Ikhsan, SH., MA., hopes that the vocational faculty can immediately adapt to the demands of transformation, both current and long-term needs. It is due to the changing times and environment, which requires flexibility in education.

"Thus, the vocational faculty is expected to make adjustments quickly. It also includes educators to improve their capabilities further," hoped Dr. Edy.

Dr. Beny Bandanadjaja, ST, MT, explained that the workshop discussed the newly issued Regulation of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Permendikbud Ristek) Number 53 of 2023 concerning Quality Assurance of Higher Education. In the Permendikbud Ristek, there are regulations governing vocational higher education.

"In this workshop, I will convey Permendikbud No. 53 of 2023, which is an important reference in curriculum development in higher education," said Dr. Beny.

Furthermore, Dr. Beny Bandanadjaja, ST, MT, emphasized the importance of study program compliance with Permendikbud Ristek No. 53 of 2023. Because accreditation refers to the regulation, if the study program does not comply with the existing provisions, it can impact the accreditation assessment.

Accreditation will ultimately refer to the Ministry of Education and Culture and Research and Technology Regulation. So, today, we are discussing this compliance to face the challenges within it," Dr. Beny explained.

Lastly, Dr. Beny Bandanadjaja, ST., MT., hopes that the Vocational Faculty at USU can implement a suitable higher vocational education curriculum. He also ensures that vocational education prioritizes practical experience, not just classroom learning.

"So, it's not an academic education shortened to a year to become a D3. Instead, vocational education has a higher proportion of practical aspects. So, it's not just in the classroom," Dr. Beny said.

Author: Bambang Riyanto - Humas

Interviewee: - - -

Photographer: Amri Simatupang - Humas