The Cultural and Media Master Program (KBM) at the Graduate School of Gadjah Mada University conducted a LAMSPAK Field Assessment with a series of intensive activities from morning until evening before dusk. The entire assessment agenda included in-depth discussions of the assessor panel and the academic community, as efforts to strengthen academic quality and develop the program sustainably.
This field assessment featured two assessors, Prof. Dr. Suwandi Sumartias, M.Si. and Prof. Anang Sujoko, S.Sos., M.Si., D.COMM., who carefully confirmed, in-depth, and conducted critical dialogue on various aspects of educational implementation in the KBM Master Program. The assessment process focused not only on completeness of documents but also examined the consistency between the academic vision, management practices, and the impact of the study program on society.
The Study Program Management Unit (UPPS) established attendance of the Dean of the UGM Graduate School, Prof. Ir. Siti Malkhamah, M.Sc., Ph.D., accompanied by the Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources, Dr. Techn. Khabib Mustofa, S.Si., M.Kom. Also in attendance was the Coordinator of the Graduate School’s Quality Assurance and Academic Data Unit, Agung Dian Kharisma, S.Pd.Si., M.Biotech., Ph.D., along with the educational staff from the Graduate School Secretariat. The presence of the UPPS leadership demonstrated the institution’s full support for the quality assurance process and sustainable academic development.
Meanwhile, from the study program aspect, the assessment was attended by the Chief of the Cultural and Media Studies Master’s Program, Dr. Ratna Noviani, S.I.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., along with several teaching staff, the Study Program Quality Assurance Coordinator, Elok Santi Jesica, M.A., and the Self-Evaluation Form (FED) development team. The active involvement of all these elements reflected the understanding of the accreditation process as a collective effort involving academic leadership, lecturers, and study program managers.
One of the main focuses of this field assessment was the implementation of the Internal Quality Assurance System (SPMI) in the Teaching and Learning Program and the Graduate School as a whole. In discussions with assessors, it was explained that SPMI implementation is carried out consistently through an Internal Quality Audit (AMI) scheduled annually. AMI serves as a strategic instrument for evaluating the achievement of academic and non-academic standards, the effectiveness of learning, and the sustainability of quality improvement through the PPEPP (Determination, Implementation, Evaluation, Control, and Improvement) cycle.
The field assessment also involved various stakeholders, including lecturers, students, alumni, and study program partners. On separate sessions, the assessor panel explored the level of stakeholder engagement, satisfaction, and expectations regarding graduates and study program management. This multi-stakeholder participation emphasized an inclusive and collaborative approach to higher education management, while also strengthening the relevance of the Teaching and Learning Program to the needs of society and the workplace.
The intense discussions throughout the day showed the field assessment was not merely a formal evaluation process, but also a space for strategic reflection to formulate the direction of future study program development. Issues such as curriculum strengthening, research contributions to socio-cultural issues, and the role of media studies in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda were part of the substantive dialogue between the assessors and the academic community.
As the field assessment concluded in the afternoon, the Master of Media and Cultural Studies Program affirmed its commitment to continuously strengthening academic governance, continuously improving educational quality, and expanding scientific contributions to understanding the dynamics of culture and media as part of sustainable development.
Author: Burhanul Aqil