[Unpad.ac.id, 14/03/2017] Pangandaran Regency Government plan to provide several lands for the development of campus outside Unpad Domicile Program (PSDKU) Unpad-Pangandaran was positively responded. Land with 30 ha width in Cintaratu Village, Parigi District, Pangandaran had been officially handed over to Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education to be furtherly managed by Unpad.
The hand over was officially conducted by signing series of Memorandum of Understanding which is held in temporary PSDKU Unpad-Pangandaran campus in Cikembulan Village, Sidamulih, Pangandaran, last Monday (12/3). The signing was directly carried out by Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education of Indonesia Prof. Mohamad Nasir, M. Si., Ak., PhD., CA.,with Governor of West Java H. Ahmad Heryawan, and Regent of Pangandaran H. Jeje Wiradinata. Besides the Minister and Governor of West Java, the signing was also attended by Minister of Youth and Sports of Indonesia Imam Nachrawi, Mayor of Sukabumi H. Mohamad Muraz, Chief Executive of PT. Bio Farma Drs. Iskandar, Apt., M.M., as well as representatives of principals and students of Bogor Institute of Agriculture.
Rector of Unpad, Prof. Tri Hanggono Achmad, revealed, Unpad-Pangandaran campus program actually has been going on for a semester. There are five courses available in the campus, such as Fisheries, Husbandry, Nursing, Communication, and Business Administration. The given five courses are claimed to have fulfilled the requirements to be opened as campus outside domicile program, one of which has received “A” accreditation.
Furthermore, these five courses are expected to be able to improve the capacity of human resources, particularly in Pangandaran Regency, due to the low gross enrollment rate (APK) of High School graduates in West Java. There are only few graduates who continue their study to university. Such an effort is also fully supported by Pangandaran Regency Government, Provincial Government, as well as Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education.
“Courses developed in PSDKU must be highly required by Pangandaran society.” Said Menristekdikti
Cooperation between Unpad and Pangandaran Regency Government in establishing PSDKU campus in Pangandaran is considered to be aggressive. The Regency Government is quite responsive by providing several lands to be employed as temporary campus. Due to further consolidation after employing Elementary School building in Cikembilan Village, Pangandaran Regency Government then recommended land with 30 ha width in Cintaratu Village to be built as temporary campus.
Rector further said, after conducting deep survey from geological and hydrogeological sector by Faculty of Geological Engineering Unpad, around 20% of 30 hectares area of the land is potential to be built. The survey was conducted considering the fact that Pangandaran area is prone to earthquakes.
Governor argued, Pangandaran Regency Government’s step in providing several lands to Unpad is regarded unique. Compared to 2 PSDKU campuses of ITB in Cirebon and IPB in Sukabumi, which land management are directly provided by Provincial Government themselves, PSDKU Unpad-Pangandaran land management is directly provided by Regency Government, therefore its implementation process will be faster.
“Pangandaran Regency Government is very responsive, as they want to immediately build campus in Pangandaran,” said Governor
Preparing 30 Millions
Furthermore, Aher, Ahmad Heryawan’s nickname, argued that PSDKU has advantages in two sides. First, PSDKU has particular role to improve the opportunity of West Java residents to continue their study in university. Second, PSDKU acts at once in developing West Java.
“Pangandaran is selected, since they are most prepared and also their area growth in the future is plausible to develop. Alhamdulillah (Thank God), the concept has already exceeded what others thought of,” said Aher. In order to support the program, West Java Provincial Government has allocated budget in amount of 30 billion/PTN to be employed by Public Universities that provides PSDKU. To Unpad, this grant will be used to build lecture buildings in Cintaratu area. It is already targeted, by 2018, students of PSDKU Unpad-Pangandaran can study in new established campus.
Furthermore, Aher suggested each university to propose Detail Engineering Design (DED) for PSDKU campuses. “Please, create the DED, find it in CSR program. This allocation from Provincial Government can be launched for physical construction,” added Aher.
Moreover, if PSDKU has begun to operate properly, it is not possible to develop them into new university. “If it succeeds, it will become challenge for Unpad to establish PSDKU campus in other regions of West Java,” said Aher.
Rector also appreciates West Java Provincial Government commitment. This grant support from Provincial Government becomes particular encouragement for PSDKU students. He argued, the students has strong commitment to study.
Meanwhile, Regent of Pangandaran, H. Jeje Wiradinata also hopes PSDKU Unpad-Pangandaran can boost human resources capacity in Pangandaran Regency. All this time, APK data of High School graduates from Pangandaran to University is only 8% which is far below from national average. The establishment of Unpad in Pangandaran is expected to increase APK percentage.
“Pangandaran students are expected to be accepted in half of total seats in PSDKU Unpad-Pangandaran,” said Jeje.
The presence of two Ministers at once in Pangandaran becomes particular pride for Jeje. “The presence of Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education and Minister of Youth and Sports emphasizes Unpad’s permanent role in Pangandaran,” said Jeje.
Besides conducting cooperation on PSDKU Unpad-Pangandaran program, Memorandum of Understanding signing between Menristekdikti and Menpora was also held regarding quality improvement in education, research, and community service to support youth and sport programs. Other signings were also conducted between Menristekdikti with Governor of West Java and Mayor of Sukabumi regarding PSDKU-IPB program, and between Regent of Pangandaran, Rector of Unpad, and Chief Executive of PT. Biofarma regarding research cooperation to develop Biodiversity, Cultural Diversity, and Geo Diversity as the initiation of Geopark development in Pangandaran.
There is also cooperation between Menristekdikti with Menpora related to Menpora’s commitment to build Aquatic Stadium in Jatinangor Campus. The building will become infrastructure support for student activity, lecture rooms, and research lab for students in Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science Unpad.
Reported by Arief Maulana
