Beranda

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This executive summary (ES) provides information about self-evaluation reports (SER) from two master's study programmes at the Post-Graduate Programme (PGP) of Sam Ratulangi University (UNSRAT), which applied for assessment of international accreditation to FIBAA. The two master programmes are the Master of Resource Development Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP) and the Master of Planning and Regional Development Sciences Study Programme (M-PRDSSP). Regarding the formulation of this report, it is written in accordance with the FIBAA's format. In this document, five criteria (general information, objectives, admission, academic environment and framework conditions, and quality assurance) are explained and demonstrated to show that the two programmes meet the international standard criteria according to FIBAA.

The PGP-UNSRAT was founded in 1985, and M-DRMSP and M-PRDSSP were founded 15 years ago (since 2007) and 24 years ago (since 1998), respectively. These two programmes are two of the 10 programmes being managed by this institution. The other eight study programmes (5 master's, 2 doctoral, and 1 professional) are the Master of Agronomy (M-ASP), Master of Entomology (M-ESP), Master of Development Resources Management (M-DRMSP), Master of Planning and Regional Development Science (M-PRDSSP), Master of Public Health Science (M-PHSSP), Master of Linguistics (M-LINSP), and Master of Food Sciences (M-FSSP); Doctor of Entomology (D-ESP) and Doctor of Linguistics (D-LSP); and the Engineering Professional (EPSP).

The M-DRMSP is a multidisciplinary study programme that is designed to provide comprehensive academic abilities, work skills, and attitudes, as well as individual personality development in accordance with the target field of work and personality development. Whereas, the M-PRDSSP is a multidisciplinary programme with the aim of producing graduates that are able to respond to development problems, for instance, inequality among regions in socio-economic aspects, by optimising the potential of regional resources efficiently and effectively. Both programmes have been accredited by the National Accreditation Agency for Higher Education of Indonesia (NAA-HEI) with a “B” (“good”) level.

The aim of M-DRMSP is to become an educational institution in development studies that produces human resources with expertise in the fields of resource management, government science, public administration, company management, and community development. Meanwhile, M-PRDSSP is aimed at responding to disparities between regions by trying to create balanced development in social and economic aspects by focusing on optimising regional resource potential efficiently and effectively.

Admission for prospective new and transfer students in these two study programmes is carried out with reference to UNSRAT Rector Regulation Number 01, 2019, concerning Guidelines for Academic Administration at UNSRAT. Requirements for prospective new students for the master's programme include having an Indonesian Sarjana (4-year bachelor's degree) with a GPA of >2.75 and original study programme accreditation from their former institution of at least “B” ("good") level. Procedures for implementing the admissions are organised by the PGP-UNSRAT and conveyed to the public through various online media (websites, social media, and others). The selection process has gone through discussions, where the decision-making process for new student acceptance is carried out in stages, starting from the programme level, postgraduate level, and rectorate level.

These two study programmes are supported by permanent teaching staff recruited from several faculties at UNSRAT who have minimum doctoral qualifications and have a good and sufficient academic competency background to meet the teaching and mentoring needs of students. Apart from that, support and services for the smooth study of students are of great concern. This support is carried out continuously to help students learn successfully. The PGP-UNSRAT provides two types of support services for students, namely academic and non-academic. This support is provided, both by lecturers and by administrative staff, during learning activities.

The implementation of the quality assurance system (QAS) in these two study programmes is carried out by the PGP-UNSRAT, where its implementation cannot be separated from the overall system at UNSRAT. Quality assurance (QA) is managed by the Quality Assurance Institute of UNSRAT (QAI-UNSRAT), which is based on the UNSRAT Organisation and Work Procedures (OWP-UNSRAT) and is regulated in the UNSRAT Statute. The aim of implementing this QA is to ensure that the quality of academic activities is carried out in accordance with quality assurance standards.

LIST OF APPENDICES

PART 2: Documents and information to be submitted in a separated download link they will be not extra downloaded by FIBAA but the separated link will be forwarded directly to the expert panel (in English language)

(Note: click the text to see the contents)

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

0.1.      Institutional context

Sam Ratulangi University, or Universitas Sam Ratulangi, often abbreviated as UNSRAT, is a state university or higher education institution located in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. UNSRAT was established in 1965 and named after Dr. Gerungan Saul Samuel Jacob Ratulangi, an Indonesian national hero and a former governor of Sulawesi. The establishment of UNSRAT is based on the Republic of Indonesia President's Decree Number 277, dated September 14th, 1965, with originally seven faculties.

At the moment, UNSRAT Manado has managed 81 study programmes, which consist of ‘Indonesian Sarjana’ degree (a 4-year undergraduate degree), master's degree, doctorate's degree, professionals, and specialists, with the distribution of 48 of the undergraduate degree study programmes (59%), 14 master's degree study programmes (17%), 5 doctorate's degree study programmes (6%), 5 professional study programmes (6%), and 9 specialist study programmes (11%). All of the programmes have achieved accreditation from the National Accreditation Agency for Higher Education of Indonesia (NAA-HEI). The accreditations received are in the "excellent" category for 15 study programmes (19%), the "very good" category for 4 study programmes (5%), and the "good" category for 3 study programmes (4%). These are using a new grading format for the NAA-HEI. The other study programmes were being accredited using an old format: "A" grades for 8 study programmes (10%), "B" grades for 49 study programmes (60%), and "C" grades for 2 study programmes (2%). Among the faculties, the Post-Graduate Programme (PGP-UNSRAT) is one of the faculties that manages some of the master, doctorate, and professional degrees.

The PGP-UNSRAT opened on March 16 based on the Decree of the UNSRAT Rector Number: 019/PT.15/a/I/85, with five study programmes. On July 23, 1985, the PGP-UNSRAT was officially established with a status of "Under Collaboration with Bogor Agriculture Institute," legally referenced in the Letter of the General Director for Higher Education Number: 747/D/Q/1985. The five initial master's study programmes are Master of Agricultural Entomology, Master of Agronomical Science, Master of Development of Food Science, Master of Development and Empowerment of Economic and Social Resources, and Master of Linguistics.

In 2004, the PGP-UNSRAT also opened its first two doctoral study programmes: the Doctor of Linguistics and the Doctor of Entomology. Furthermore, in 2011, it opened new students’ admission for the Law and Marine Science doctoral study programmes. However, in 2016, the management of master's and doctoral Marine Science study programmes was moved to the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science. And in 2023, the management of the master and doctoral study programmes for Law were moved to the Faculty of Law. Today, the PGP-UNSRAT oversees ten study programmes consisting of seven master's, two doctoral, and one professional study ram. All of the study programmes have been accredited by the NAA-HEI and received "very good" for one study programme (10%) (this is a new format of accreditation by the agency). One study programme (10%) also gained an "A" grade, while the other eight (80%) received "B" (accreditation results based on the old format by the agency).

The PGP-UNSRAT, until December 2022, consists of 10 study programmes, i.e., 7 master (Master of Agronomy Study Programme [M-ASP], Master of Entomology Study Programme [M-ESP], Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme [M-DRMSP], Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme [M-PRDSSP], Master of Public Health Science Study Programme [M-PHSSP], Master of Linguistics Study Programme [M-LINSP], and Master of Food Sciences Study Programme [M-FSSP]), 2 doctoral (Doctor of Entomology Study Programme [D-ESP] and Doctor of Linguistics Study Programme [D-LSP]), and 1 professional (Engineering Professional Study Programme (EPSP)) study programmes. This institution is committed to producing high-quality graduates with integrity who can contribute to the development of knowledge and society. It owns good facilities and provides the best services that ensure and support the best learning experience, such as laboratories, libraries, conference rooms, and a user-friendly and well-developed academic information system; some of the facilities are shared with other faculties in UNSRAT. In 2020, it received a certificate for the international standard of Quality Management System (QMS) of ISO 9001:2015, and in 2024, it received two certificates of QMS and Educational Organisation Management System (EOMS) of ISO 21001:2018.

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP) is a multidisciplinary programme under the PGP-UNSRAT. The M-DRMSP qualification is designed to provide academic abilities and comprehensive job skills and attitudes, as well as individual personality development in accordance with the target field of work and personality development with good time management.

The objective of the M-DRMSP is to become an educational institution in development studies that produces human resources with expertise in the fields of resource management, government science, public administration, company management, and community development. The fields of interest in this study programme are resource management, development administration, corporate management, public administration management, government science, social resource development, cultural studies, and election governance.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme (M-PRDSSP) is one of the multidisciplinary programmes under the PGP-UNSRAT with the aim of producing graduates that are able to respond to development problems, for instance, inequality among regions in socio-economic aspects, by optimising the potential of regional resources efficiently and effectively. The programme offers two fields of interest, namely regional planning and regional development. The regional planning concentration is intended to educate and develop the ability of students to identify the problems faced in a region and find solutions based on their potential, while the regional development concentration is intended to produce students who are able to evaluate economic changes and encourage development in social and economic aspects.

0.2.      Further development of the programme and implementation of recommendations from previous accreditation (if relevant)

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The M-DRMSP has been accredited by the NAA-HEI since March 29, 2020, and is valid until March 29, 2025, with an accreditation value of B (“good”).

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The M-PRDSSP has been accredited by the NAA-HEI and received B (“good”) (from September 23, 2020, to September 23, 2025).

1. OBJECTIVES

1.1.      Objectives of the study programme (Asterisk Criterion)

The qualification of both study programmes (M-DRMSP and M-PRDSSP) is designed to provide comprehensive academic abilities, work skills, and attitudes, as well as the development of individual personalities, knowledge, attitudes, and skills obtained from courses and fieldwork practices in accordance with the expected level of graduate learning outcomes that meet the requirements in the Indonesian National Qualifications Framework (INQF).

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The objective of the M-DRMSP is as follows:

1. General objectives and expected results

Become an educational institution in development studies that produces human resources with expertise in the fields of resource management, government science, public administration, company management, and community development.

2. Special purpose

Produce graduates who have the ability to:

1. Understand conceptually and theoretically the problems and their solutions in access, management, and distribution, as well as the preservation of development resources, both physical and non-physical, in the implementation of development policies.
2. Understand conceptually and theoretically the problems and their solutions in governance practice to support development policies in the context of regional autonomy and political decentralisation.
3. Understand conceptually and theoretically public administration problems and their solutions in the implementation of development policies that are more adaptive to changes in society.
4. Understand conceptually and theoretically the management of small, medium, and large business units and their relationships with other business units in the context of value chains and commodity chains.
5. Understand theoretically and conceptually the practice of community development and the facilitation of the planning and implementation of sustainable rural and urban community development.
6. Understand conceptually and theoretically local cultures that play an important role in maintaining solidarity and integrity in communities that continuously interact with global cultures and their potential in the development of the creative economy and tourism.

The M-DRMSP graduates can work in several fields needed in Indonesia in particular and in the Pacific region in general. The ability to be possessed opens up opportunities to work in various fields, both in the government and private fields. This is stated in the graduate profile that has been set out in the programme curriculum document, namely educators and researchers, bureaucrats, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private sector managers, and public policy analysts. A description of the skill profile of the programme is shown in Table 1.

The learning outcomes and curriculum of the programme are designed according to user needs and are aligned with the INQF indicators required at Level 8 (Masters). Learning outcomes are documented in detail, and their suitability and adequacy are always reviewed in the context of user needs. The learning outcomes of the programme can be seen in Table 2.

Table 1

Description of the skill profile of the Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP) graduates

Table 2

Learning Outcomes (LOs) of the Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The objectives of the M-PRDSSP are:

1. To produce graduates who are excellent and able to identify the potential of a region and the problems in the field of regional development planning.
2. To produce graduates who are able to plan, analyse, and develop methodologies, including basic theories and up-to-date concepts.
3. To make the programme a centre of excellence in the field of education and research in regional development planning, particularly in eastern Indonesia.
4. To develop the capacity and quality of good governance, teaching and education personnel must be transparent and accountable in order to maintain the organising system of the master programme.

The objective of the of the implementation of this programme is to produce graduates who are able to develop their careers, such as through promotion in career paths, becoming leaders, and having working opportunities as private employees, civil servants (academics and bureaucrats), consultants, and entrepreneurs. In addition, some Indonesian agencies, such as the National Land Agency of Indonesia (NLAI), the Development Planning Agency at the Sub-National Level (DPA-SbL), and the Central Bureau of Statistics of Indonesia (CBSI), require their staff to improve their knowledge by further learning, for instance, in this programme.

The profile of M-PRDSSP graduates in relation to the work environment can be explained as follows:

1. Academic division: teaching staff may develop academic skills in the fields of planning and regional development, with an emphasis on research and community service.
2. Bureaucrats: government employees who contribute to coping with socio-economic development planning issues.
3. Non-governmental organisations: the capability of giving a positive impact to society in the field of community development and empowerment.
4. Private sector: workers are able to work professionally in the field of management and develop good leadership skills.
5. Consultants: increased knowledge may contribute to the government and private sector in solving socio-economic development planning problems.

The M-PRDSSP graduates have great working opportunities that meet market needs and demands, such as the emergence of socio-economic problems such as socio-economic inequality between regions, poverty, and pressure on natural resources.

The learning process offered is in accordance with market demand and users by considering aspects of attitude, knowledge, special skills, and general skills as outlined in Table 3.

1.2.      International orientation of the study programme design (Asterisk Criterion)

International orientation is one of the key indicators for achieving the vision and mission of each study programme at PGP-UNSRAT. The description below describes the implementation of the programmes of the M-PRDSSP in relation to international orientation.

Table 3

Learning Outcomes (LOs) of the Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme (M-PRDSSP)

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The vision of the M-DRMSP is to become a centre for the development of human resources, scientists, and development managers who have good dignity and high integrity in humanising other humans in the Pacific region. The meaning of excellence in this vision is to be able to produce high-quality graduates with integrity who can meet international standards, both in producing international-standard scientific work and in applying international standards when working in the public and private sectors.

Related to excellence indicators, the vision statement of the programme is to obtain superior predicates of accreditation, both national and international. Measurable indicators of excellence are student participation in international forums, international cooperation, producing articles of international repute, and graduates being able to work in public organisations that apply international standards, such as foreign companies or multinational companies. The graduates are expected to be able to compete at the international level so that they are able to work abroad or continue their studies abroad. As proof, there are graduates who are recorded as working as employees of multinational companies such as PT. Freeport Indonesia. Some graduates have also produced articles in international journals and reputable international journals indexed by Copernicus in international databases and indexed by the Indonesian Science Technology Index of Indonesia (SINTA).

The international perspective in M-DRMSP is introduced in various ways, such as through the presentation of several courses containing international orientation materials, study materials and reference books in foreign languages, and the obligation to attend international seminars. In addition, the programme incidentally invites guest lecturers who have international experience from various backgrounds and affiliations, especially those related to development studies, as the scientific parent of the programmes. Also, in the process of thesis guidance, students are required to read text books and cite references to international journals, as well as attend national and international seminars.

International perspectives also come from the programme lecturers, some of whom have experience studying abroad, including graduates of master and doctoral programmes abroad, and some who have attended various forms of training abroad. The involvement of lecturers and students in several academic activities, seminars, and scientific meetings, both national and international, is a supporting factor, for example, participating in international conferences.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

One of the objectives of the M-PRDSSP is to become a centre of excellence in education and research in regional development planning, especially in eastern Indonesia. Graduates who are expected to contribute to solving regional problems in eastern Indonesia are also expected to be globally oriented, especially in Pacific regionalization, which includes several aspects, such as social aspects, cultural aspects, and economic aspects, all of which are accommodated in the Pacific Regional Economic course. For example, a student named Mercy Sisilya Wenas (Student Registration Number: 20202103019), who works as a consultant, is able to cooperate with international companies at the Fegano LLC company. In the final project and supervision process, students are required to read textbooks, cite references from international journals, and attend national and international seminars.

International perspectives also come from programme lecturers who studied abroad, including master graduates and doctoral degrees from the USA (1), Australia (2), France (1), Canada (1), Denmark (1), Thailand (1), and England (2), and some have attended short courses and training abroad.

Some of the lecturers have articles published in international journals that are internationally indexed; the number is 45 in Scopus, 13 in Word of Science (WoS), and 66 in other international journals. The involvement of lecturers and students in several academic activities, seminars, and scientific meetings, both national and international, is a supporting factor. For example, when participating in an international conference, the numbers are 10 in the proceedings, 7 as presenters, and 6 as participants.

1.3.      Positioning of the study programme

1.3.1.   Positioning of the study programme on the educational market

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The M-DRMSP has been established for approximately 15 years through Operational License Decree Number 112/DIKTI/Kep/2007. This study programme is quite well known in the eastern Indonesia region because the majority of students come from various areas in this region. It is the only study programme rooted in development studies in this region and has a strong and advantageous position in the job market, especially due to UNSRAT's reputation as one of the largest universities in this region. Here are some of the key factors that contribute to the position of this course of study:

First, it is part of the Indonesian Development Study Consortium of Development Studies Association of Indonesia (DSAI).

Second, include the subject matter of Indonesian border area management in the development resource management course. This material describes the characteristics of North Sulawesi Province, which has a state border area, and aspects of its management.

Third, UNSRAT is one of the universities that has the highest ranking in eastern Indonesia based on the Webometrics Version of the 2023 University Ranking in Indonesia, which is ranked at 28th.

Fourth, this study programme has been accredited with B (“very good’) accreditation by the NAA-HEI since 2020. The main competitors of this programme are in the western part of Indonesia, which has similar scientific fields, including Airlangga University in West Java, North Sumatra University in Sumatra, and Lambung Mangkurat University in Kalimantan.

The proof that this programme is superior is the number of students who enrol, which is relatively stable from year to year. For example, in the Academic Year (AY) 2020–2021, there were 56 registrants. In AY 2021/2022, there were 68 registrants. In AY 2022/2023, registrants amounted to 31 people and 39 in AY 2023/2024 (click here to see).

It is targeted that in AY 2025/2026, this programme is fully oriented to the international level because it has various opportunities, such as cooperation that has been built by UNSRAT and the PGP-UNSRAT through collaboration (with MoU’s and MoA’s) with several foreign universities, for instance with Simon Fraser University (Canada) in 2020, and has been followed up by sending a student to this university.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

Due to high competition between study programmes focusing on the area of planning and development, the curriculum of the M-PRDSSP was designed by benchmarking with the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), Regional Planning Study Programme. With the rising interest in the study of regional planning and development, an increasing number of universities had opened similar study programmes with different programme name variations and a good number of specialisations offered. There are a handful of universities that offer a regional planning and development study programme for students to major in. Today, there are 26 similar study programmes in Indonesia (click here to see). The societies' growing interest in the field of regional planning and development has impacted the level of competition between the study programmes, which is becoming more competitive.

This condition has affected the level of competitiveness among the fields of interest in regional planning and development studies. In the last five years, the number of applicants who applied to this study programme has significantly fluctuated.

The number of applicants for the M-PRDSSP in 2018 was 14 applicants; in the year 2019 was 8 applicants; in 2020 the applicants were 25 people, in the year 2021 it became 15 applicants; and in the year 2022 the applicants were 11 people (click here to see). When dealing with the competitiveness level of the other study programmes offered by the other universities, especially in the Eastern Region of Indonesia, this study programme has carried out a few strategies, such as:

1. In the year 2019, this programme underwent revisions to its curriculum with a shorter duration of study, which is 1.5 years (3 semester) where the lecture and study process is only for 2 semesters, and on the third semester, the students can already write their thesis paper. Adding to that, since 2019, the programme has opened a Pacific Region Economics course as the unique mark of this programme.
2. This study programme is trusted by many governmental institutions, such as the NLAI and the CBSI, as educational institutions for career development.
3. A support of 24 teaching staff, who come from various educational backgrounds. The lecturer's teaching groups are adjusted according to the competence and background of the teaching staff.
4. Up to this day, this programme has been accredited "B" ("good") by the NAA-HEI and is certified for the international standards of QMS of ISO 9001:2015 and EOMS of ISO 21001:2018.
5. As a multidisciplinary study programme, it becomes an option for bachelor graduates to further resume their postgraduate study, especially for those who have an educational background in rural region planning, development economics, management, and social economics in agriculture or agribusiness.
6. There are a number of applicants from outside of the province, such as from other places in the Eastern Region of Indonesia. 

1.3.2.   Positioning of the study programme on the job market for graduates ("Employability")

M-DRMSP and M-PRDSSP have routinely carried out monitoring and analysis on the occupations of each graduate through tracer study and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) activities with the alumni and users. The FGD between the study programmes and their alumni and users was held on October 20, 2022. The results can be explained below.

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The opportunities for M-DRMSP graduates to have job opportunities are wide open. This is because this programme has eight field interests (resource management, development administration, corporate management, public administration management, government science, social resource development, cultural studies, and election governance). In general, its graduates work in the public sector (government employees and state-owned enterprises [SOEs]) and the private sector (private companies). Moreover, the majority of students already have permanent jobs when they are students, so the knowledge they gain in college can be directly applied in the world of work and can improve their careers. For example, some graduates work as civil servants in the Southeast Minahasa Regency and Bitung City governments of North Sulawesi, Indonesia; when they complete their studies, they are directly promoted to certain positions. Promotion also occurs for the graduates who work at the Indonesian General Election Commission Office (IGECO) and the Indonesian General Election Supervisory Agency Office (IGESAO) in eastern Indonesia; when they finish their studies, they are directly promoted as Section Head or Secretary of the offices.

The M-DRMSP curriculum is also designed to achieve learning outcomes so that graduates have the skills to be able to compete in the world of work. This can be seen from the results of tracer studies on the graduates who have worked and on their users.

Development steps that have been taken by the M-DRMSP in relation to the job market and increasing competitiveness are reviewing and revising the curriculum. A new curriculum is the 2023 Curriculum, which has been implemented in the AY 2023/2024. This new curriculum has undergone some fundamental and substantial changes, namely the downsizing of interest from eight to four field interests (resource management, government sciences, socio-cultural science studies, and election governance). Downsizing the field of interests is done because there are several interests that have not been in demand by students since a few years ago. The 2023 curriculum is also designed to accelerate students' study periods. The new curriculum has also included new courses tailored to the needs of the job market.

Based on the employability of the graduates, designed based on the objectives of the programme qualification, the curriculum has considered the field of work of graduates in the context of the development of sustainable and market-oriented development resource management science. The fields that will be considered in the future include local, national, and regional development planning analysts; analysts of development issues in developing countries; and election analysts.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The students in M-PRDSSP consist of those who are already working (both in the government and private sectors), fresh graduates (who are seeking a job), and entrepreneurs. The learning process at the programme is oriented towards the world of work. Therefore, besides synchronisation efforts between the curriculum and the workplace, strategic measures are also taken for graduates to be accepted in the job market and to get promoted for those who are employed. Graduates' future fields of work have been considered through the programme curriculum. This is done by observing the increasing development of the field of sustainable planning science and regional development science, especially in the field of rural and urban socio-economic development planning. The development of information technology and the dynamic environment of the competitive job market are taken into consideration by the study programme so that graduates can survive in the market. The recruitment of graduates also shows that there is a very strong relationship with the knowledge gained during their studies.

1.3.3.   Positioning of the study programme within the HEI's overall strategic concept

UNSRAT has a vision: "together organising UNSRAT into a qualified and cultured university", with a mission of 1) improving the quality of 'Tri Dharma PT' (academic, research, and community service activities) in a sustainable manner; 2) developing innovation in science, technology, and art-culture oriented to the Pacific region; 3) increasing access and the role of institutions for improving the standard and quality of life of the community; and 4) improving educational governance. The vision and mission of this university were then revealed to be the vision and mission of every study programme within UNSRAT, including the M-DRMSP and the M-PRDSSP.

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The vision of M-DRMSP is to be a centre for human resource development, scientists, and development managers who have good dignity and high integrity in humanising other humans in the Pacific region. This programme has made various efforts to make a greater contribution to the achievement of UNSRAT's vision and mission, including the following:

1. Improved the quality of education above the National Standard of Higher Education of Indonesia (NSHEI), implemented NSHEI exceedance, and obtained B (“very good”) accreditation recognition from NAA-HEI.
2. Developed cooperation at national and international levels in the fields of education, research, and community service. As a first step in international cooperation, the programme has invited guest lecturers from the United States and the Philippines to conduct public lectures and international seminars at UNSRAT. In addition, the lecturers in this programme attend international seminars in collaboration with other universities in Indonesia.
3. Provides opportunities to improve the quality of research for lecturers and students through their participation in training in writing research proposals and writing international articles for publication in international journals.

Based on its vision and goals, the M-DRMSP contributes to the achievement of missions 1, 2, and 3 of UNSRAT (stated in UNSRAT Strategic Planning) (click here to see). In connection with Mission 2, the programme has contributed to overcoming problems in the development of Indonesia, especially in eastern Indonesia, producing useful research, and receiving national and international recognition. In addition, the field of development resource management studies that focus on development issues in eastern Indonesia is relevant to improving the standard and quality of life of the community, as stated in UNSRAT’s vision.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The M-PRDSSP accommodates the vision and missions of UNSRAT, which are mentioned above. “Qualified” means that 1) this study programme graduates have ability and skills in their subject, so they are able to compete in the world of work; and 2) this programme carries out academic (learning and teaching) activities with high-quality standards, in accordance with the development of science and technology, and is able to compete with other similar study programmes. “Cultured” means that in carrying out the teaching and learning process, it upholds ethics, morals, and manners as its personal identity.

Some of the things that this programme has done are: improve the academic quality of the study programme beyond the national standards of I; obtain B (“very goog”) accreditation recognition from the NAA-HEI; and raise the level to A (“superior”) accreditation in 2025. This programme has also conducted collaborations, both national and international, as well as utilising the university's internal activities by all the programme lecturers. 

1. ADMISSION

2.1.      Admission requirements (Asterisk Criterion)

The selection of admission for prospective new students and transfer students of the master and doctoral programmes at PGP-UNSRAT is carried out by referring to the Rector Regulation of UNSRAT, Number 01 of 2019, concerning Guidelines for Academic Implementation at UNSRAT. In this regulation, the requirements for prospective new students of the master programme include: a prospective student must have a bachelor's diploma with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of >2.75 and the accreditation level of their bachelor’s study programme is at least B (“very good”). While for the doctoral programme include: a prospective student must have a master's diploma with a GPA of >3.50 and the accreditation level of his or her master’s study programme is at least B (“very good”). Moreover, for both programmes, an applicant must have an educational background with learning outcomes that are in accordance with the intended study programme. If one does not meet the requirements, matriculation will be applied. The selection process for new students can be accessed through the PGP-UNSRAT website (click here to see it).

The PGP-UNSRAT also accepts foreign students who are guided by the regulations of the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education of Indonesia (MRTHEI). Foreign nationals can be accepted as students at this institution if they meet the requirements. Foreign students who are registered as students of master or doctoral programmes at foreign universities recognised by the MRTHEI can be accepted as research students at the PGP-UNSRAT for a certain period and can be accepted as internship or part-time students with a minimum of 14 credits. To facilitate services for foreign students in the form of cultural and Indonesian introduction as well as immigration affairs, they can take advantage of the UNSRAT International Office and the UNSRAT Language Centre.

Master students from other Indonesian universities can transfer to master programmes at PGP-UNSRAT with the following requirements: submit a written application to the rector; be registered as an active student in the same study programme at the original university at the time of applying to transfer to UNSRAT; not drop out of studies and have a GPA of >3.00; obtain approval from the director and study programme coordinator (SPC) related to considering the capacity of the study programme; and other requirements. Especially for students within the PGP-UNSRAT, they can change study programmes if they meet the following requirements: registered as an active student in one of the study programmes at the time of applying to transfer to another study programme; have a GPA of >3.00 for master and a GPA of >3.25 for doctoral; and pass the evaluation of 2 semesters and not drop out of study.

Admission of transfer students from abroad is determined separately by the rector's decision and is carried out at the beginning of each academic year. Meanwhile, courses that can be transferred or accepted must be researched and approved by the SPC, then proposed to the dean or director and determined by the rector.

2.2.      Counselling for prospective students

Registration of new students in the PGP-UNSRAT is carried out based on the university's academic calendar, starting with the determination of the quota for each study programme, admission requirements, and administrative and academic selection schedules. Every prospective student who will study at the institute will get information about all these aspects through the institution website (click here to visit if) and can contact the person in charge (PIC) of the programme through e-mail, telephone, WhatsApp, and other facilities provided. The PIC of the programme is Stenly E. Jacobis (Tel./WA: +62-812-4567-8428) with the e-mail address Alamat email ini dilindungi dari robot spam. Anda memerlukan Javascript yang aktif untuk melihatnya.. In addition, all the submission processes are conducted online.

2.3     Selection procedure (if relevant)

All selection procedures are organised online and announced via the website. In deciding acceptance of a prospective student, the selection process is done through tiered discussions starting from the study programme, the PGP-UNSRAT, and the university levels. An example of the admission procedure that has been done in the odd semester, AY 2023/2024, can be seen through this link < click here to see it>. It provides information about the announcement regarding the new student registration quota and selection schedule. To register, students are directed to do it online at the link < click here to see >. 

The selection procedure for prospective students, especially in the M-DRMSP and M-PRDSSP, includes administrative selection and academic selection. Both selections are carried out by a selection team formed and determined by the rector's decree. Administrative selection is a selection based on the completeness of the documents that are required. Academic selection is carried out by each study programme through a print-based written examination test. If prospective students pass the administrative and academic selection, it is followed by an interview.

The selection procedure is announced at the beginning of the registration process and includes the following: Administrative selection is carried out to select the applicants who meet the requirements. Then, a written test (either paper-based or computer-based) is carried out for the applicants who pass the administrative selection. Consequently, an interview test is done, which includes motivation to participate in the programme, the ability to master English, and the background of prospective students.

After all the processes mentioned above are done, the study programme announces the test and interview results, and the names of all the prospective new students who pass the process are sent to the PGP-UNSRAT. A final meeting at the institution level is held for the approval of prospective student admissions. The result, containing proposed student names who pass the selections, is sent to the rectorate for decision and a new student acceptance decree. At the end, the acceptance decree is announced through the institution's website < click here to see it > and other media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter). An example of the announcement on the website from the Odd Semester of AY 2023/2024 can be seen through this link < click here to see it >. After being declared accepted, prospective new students can go through the process of paying tuition fees via bank. Finally, the new students can come into the study programme to start their studies. 

2.4.      Professional experience (if relevant; Asterisk Criterion for master programmes that require professional experience)

2.5.      Ensuring foreign language proficiency (Asterisk Criterion)

English language skills are one of the requirements for the PGP-UNSRAT students to be able to take the thesis examination. This ability is measured by a minimum score of 450 (stated in UNSRAT Rector’s Regulation, Number 01 of 2019; click here to see the regulation). The English proficiency test is conducted by the UNSRAT Language Centre (LC-UNSRAT) in coordination with the Indonesian International Education Foundation (IIEF) in Jakarta.

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The need for English language skills by students is a must, considering that some of the reference books used in each lecture are written in English, in addition to the demands of the world of work. Structured assignments such as papers, journal article reviews, and book reviews are programmes that use a lot of English and are all intended to improve students' English skills. In addition, students are encouraged to write articles in English and submit articles in international journals, as well as encourage active student involvement in international seminars, both held at and outside UNSRAT.

The UNSRAT Language Centre, as a kind of university support, is accessible to all students and lecturers aiming to improve English language skills.

In the M-DRMSP, courses given in English include Comparative Governance, Social and Development Institutions, and Corporate Governance courses. However, the lectures are given in combination with Indonesian for several classes.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme (M-PRDSSP)

The UNSRAT Language Centre can also be accessed by all students and lecturers from the M-PRDSSP in order to improve their English language skills. There are several courses that use English references, namely GIS, Natural Resource and Environmental Economics, Economic Theory and Research Methods, and Thesis Writing Techniques.

2.6.      Transparency and documentation of admission procedure and decision (Asterisk Criterion)

The passing score of the overall test results, as well as the quota for successful admission to master and doctoral programmes, are discussed through a meeting at PGP-UNSRAT, involving all of the SPC. The limit on grades and accepted quotas is decided with consideration for the capacity of each study programme.

The acceptance stage begins with the administrative selection of all prospective student documents based on the specified requirements. After passing this stage, one will go through the academic selection in each of the study programmes in oral and/or written form. A list of prospective new students who pass the selection process will be sent to the PGP-UNSRAT, and the institution will subsequently propose it to the Rector’s Office for decision through a rector's decree. At the final stage, it will officially be announced on the university website (click here to see the site) and the PGP-UNSRAT website (click here to see the site), which can be accessed online by all selection participants and the public. Currently, admission documentation in the form of Minutes of Implementation (MoI), as well as documents for 2023 admission, are stored online in the closed data storage of ‘INSPIRE’ Portal Managerial of UNSRAT (INSPIRE PM-UNSRAT) (click here to see the portal), which can only be accessed by the SPC, while hardcopy documents before 2023 are stored in each study programme office.

3. CONTENTS, STRUCTURE AND DIDACTICAL CONCEPT OF THE PROGRAMME

3.1.      Contents

3.1.1.   Logic and conceptual coherence (Asterisk Criterion)

The curriculum designed by M-DRMSP and M-PRDSSP refers to the vision and missions of each study programme, and also refers to the learning outcomes (LOs) that have been developed by each study programme. This is done in order to produce graduates who are aligned with the graduate's profile that has been devised by the study programme. The review and revision of the 2019 PGP-UNSRAT curriculum are based on the PGP-UNSRAT Director Decree for the Curriculum Revision Team, Number 395/UN12.12/LL/2019. The review of the previous curriculum is intended to assess the suitability of the curriculum structure with the scientific development of each study programme, which is comprehensively summarised in the curriculum map.

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The preparation process of the curriculum in M-DRMSP is carried out by a team formed based on the PGP-UNSRAT Director Decree. The process involves stakeholders, alumni, and students of the study program. It is done in order to meet the standards of the master curriculum as stipulated in the academic quality standards of the masters of UNSRAT.

To achieve international standards, the team conducts benchmarking on several similar master programmes in various regions of Indonesia and consults with the Indonesian Development Studies Association (IDSA). The results are then adjusted to the needs of the region. Meanwhile, to meet the needs of the job market, the programme conducts tracer studies on graduates and users and conducts discussions with government agencies as well.

The M-DRMSP offers 10 courses plus a thesis that students must complete to complete their studies. The programme has eight fields of interest. Of the 8 interests, in Semester I, students are required to take 3 compulsory programme courses (each weighing 3 credits), 1 compulsory interest course (weighing 3 credits), and 1 elective of interest course (weighing 2 credits). In Semester II, students are required to take 2 compulsory programme courses (each weighing 3 credits), 1 compulsory interest course (weighing 3 credits), and 2 elective interest courses (each weighing 2 credits). In Semester III, students submit a thesis (weighing 12 credits). The total credits that must be contracted by a student are up to 39 credits.

Structurally, the M-DRMSP curriculum consists of compulsory programme courses, compulsory interest courses, and interest elective courses. The compulsory programme courses (CPC) are given in relation to conceptual and theoretical mastery in the scope of development, politics, government, and society, as well as strengthening mastery of research methodology. The compulsory interest courses (CIC), intended for students who choose certain interests, provide conceptual and theoretical understanding and knowledge related to the field of interest. While the elective interest courses (EIC) are given so that students are able to develop solutive knowledge and new discoveries in accordance with the scientific field of the chosen interest, the courses are more contained in case studies.

In terms of learning achievement, the programme offers a series of courses. For the attitude aspect, for example, courses in Human Ecology and Government Ethics are offered. Aspects of knowledge are represented, among others, through the courses of Social Institutions, Development, and Resource Management. General skill aspects are represented, among others, through the courses of Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods. Meanwhile, aspects of special skills are represented, among others, by courses in Community Development and E-Governance. The programme curriculum can be seen in Appendix 1.

For the AY 2023/2024, the programme has revised the 2019 Curriculum, in which one elective course is included in Semesters I and II, namely the special studies course, to accommodate external party requests, especially foreign students who will attend lectures at the programme.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The curriculum structure of the M-PRDSSP is designed to actualize the vision of the study programme that has been established, which includes learning materials, learning implementation, and learning evaluation. In addition, it considers a learning model using structured assignments and self-directed assignments, and the last assignment is to write a thesis. A review and preparation of the programme curriculum in 2019 (2019 Curriculum) is based on the PGP-UNSRAT Director Decree concerning the Curriculum Revision Team, Number 395/UN12.12/LL/2019. The objective of the revision is to determine the appropriateness of the curriculum structure for planning and regional development science in the context of information technology.

Moreover, discussions were held with the graduates and users in order to obtain information about market needs regarding the study of regional planning and development. Seeking feedback on courses that have been taught in the current academic year and which courses or topics can be added in preparation for the new curriculum.

Benchmarking activities are held with the Postgraduate School of Regional and Rural Development Planning, Faculty of Economics and Management, Bogor Agricultural Institute, Indonesia. The major thing that resulted from the benchmarking was the insertion of a course that will characterise the study programme, which is based on the Pacific Region.

In the 2019 curriculum, the total credits are 39, or 62.4 ECTS; it breaks down into 4 semesters. Semester I, 12 SKS (19.2 ECTS); Semester II, 15 SKS (24 ECTS); and Semester III, students may contract a thesis course (12 credits or 24 ECTS), which continues until Semester IV; however, they can complete their study in Semester III. It is then described that in the 2019 Curriculum, there are 7 compulsory programme courses (21 credits/33.6 ECTS), 1 compulsory interest course (3 credits/4.8 ECTS), and 1 elective course (3 credits/4.8 ECTS). For the elective course, students will choose one course from the two offered.

The curriculum developed in M-PRDSSP is formulated to achieve the expected learning outcomes. In the attitude aspect, it is elaborated in the courses of Social Investment Development Analysis, Participatory Planning, and Public Policy. In terms of general skills, the courses are Research Methods and Thesis Writing Techniques, Statistical Analysis, Geographical Information System (GIS), and Decision Support Systems. Aspects of general skills are implemented in the courses of Economic Theory, Pacific Region Economics, Natural Resources and Environmental Economics, Spatial Economic Planning, and Area Development Planning.

3.1.2.   Rationale for degree and programme name (Asterisk Criterion)

In a ministerial decree (the Decree of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Indonesia (MECI) Number 49, 2013), concerning the organisation and work procedures of UNSRAT, the PGP-UNSRAT is called 'Postgraduate' (Indonesian: Pascasarjana). The way to write a degree for a master's programme is based on a ministerial decree (the Decree of MRTHEI Number 59 of 2018, Article 20, part f), which reads: “master, written after the name of the master's programme graduate, by including the letter "M." and followed by the initials of the tree of the science and technology or the initials of the name of the study programme”.

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The M-DRMSP has been established for 15 years through a ministerial decree (Decree number 112/DIKTI/Kep/2007). The basis for writing degrees for this programme is based on the Decree of the MRTHEI Number 59 of 2018, i.e., “Master of Science (Indonesian: Magister Sains/M.Si).

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The PRDSSP is one of the first study programmes established in 1987 and used to be named ‘Regional Planning Study', with graduates who finished there receiving “Mater of Science” (Indonesian: Magister Sains/M.Si) as their educational title. Until now, all the graduates still had ‘M.Sc’ (Indonesian: M.Si) as their title after finishing this study programme.

3.1.3.   Integration of theory and practice (Asterisk Criterion)

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The M-DRMSP provides understanding to students by integrating theory, case studies, and practice. Theoretical knowledge is given to the students through classroom learning. Other classroom learning is given in the form of case studies and case solving, and integrating lecturers' work experience and research into learning materials and student references for thesis writing. The form of case study/case-solving learning is intended to ensure students have the skills to apply theory for case analysis as well as field practice.

The work experience of the programme lecturers, both as expert staff at the Ministry of Home Affairs of Indonesia, provincial government, and district/city government, is used as lecture material, integrating theory and practice, in order to provide students with a more comprehensive understanding.

There are 5 CPCs, 16 CICs, and 48 EICs for 8 fields of interest. The total number of courses in the programme for the eight interests is 69. The number of courses that contain elements of theory and include case analysis is 30 (43.5%).

Currently, the M-DRMSP is limited to three fields of interest, namely resource management, government science, and social resource development. This is done because other five fields of interest are no longer an option for new students (this has occurred since AY 2020–2021). The number of courses in the three interests is 27 (consisting of 5 compulsory study programme courses, 6 compulsory interest courses, and 16 elective interest courses). The number of courses that contain elements of theory and include case analysis is 16 (59.3%). The courses that contain practical elements are two (7.4%), namely the Performance Management course and the Qualitative/Quantitative Research Methods course. In these two courses, students carry out Quantitative Data Analysis practices using SPSS®. The 2019 curriculum can be seen in Appendix 1.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The existing curriculum in this programme does not offer practical courses and only offers theoretical courses; however, there are several courses that apply case study and software usage during learning activities. The course on public policy discusses the application and evaluation of regional regulations. In the social development capital analysis course, the students can learn about the values and informal norms around the regions, and in the research method and thesis writing techniques course, the application of software such as SPPS® is included in the lesson. The emphasis on practical issues in the region is accommodated in the GIS course, especially in the aspect of Spatial Statistics. This course is carried out with the purpose of providing students with knowledge on the concepts of issues related to spatial quality by using R software. The lessons used by students as handbooks are available on websites and can be downloaded freely.

3.1.4.   Interdisciplinary thinking

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

Development Resource Management (DRM) is a sub-system of overall development problems. Problems in one subsystem will have an impact on the performance of the graduate system as a whole. For example, the DRM sub-system is controlled by many factors, such as human behaviour, economic factors, government policies, and political systems. The issues inherent or specific to each graduate and their socio-cultural environment also determine the performance of the M-DRMSP graduates' system, including the quality of human resources, accessibility to technology, cooperation (trust and network), and many others. Therefore, the students are trained to think comprehensively and use an interdisciplinary approach to solve problems of resources, development, society, governance, and politics.

In order for students to be able to think interdisciplinaryly in solving development challenges and all their values, the courses offered at this programme are taught by lecturers who have competencies in the DRM field, the majority of which come from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of UNSRAT (FSPS-UNSRAT), as well as other supporting competencies from other faculties within UNSRAT such as the Faculty of Law, Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Humanities, and Faculty of Animal Husbandry.

In terms of curriculum, it consists of compulsory programme courses (CPC), compulsory interest courses (CIC), and elective interest courses (EIC). The CPC, including social theories and the course of social institutions and development, is used as the basis for conceptual understanding. The CIC, including human resource management courses and government policy courses, is prepared in order to strengthen a substantial understanding of the specialisations of each interest. While the EIC, such as human ecology courses and developing state social problems courses, is included in order to provide understanding through an interdisciplinary approach for students in solving DRM problems,.

Another method used by this programme to encourage students to think interdisciplinaryly is the selection of supervisors and thesis examiners from various disciplines. This is done so that the thesis discussion can be studied interdisciplinaryly.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The interdisciplinary aspect is taken into consideration at the M-PRDSSP by offering several courses taught by lecturers who have competencies in the field of regional planning development (RPD) and other supporting competencies from other study programmes, such as from the Faculty of Agriculture of UNSRAT (FAgr-UNSRAT), the FSPS-UNSRAT, and the Faculty of Engineering. In the 2019 Curriculum, courses taught for the planning specialisation, such as GIS, are taught by lecturers from the soil science study programme of the FAgr-UNSRAT, and public policy is taught by the FSPS-UNSRAT lecturers. There are other interdisciplinary courses, such as developmental economics, decision support systems, and area development planning, that discuss issues around socio-economic development. The supervision of the students' theses is tailored based on the topic or problem researched by the students and adjusted to the competence of the student's supervisor and thesis examiner. Supervising lecturers and examiners have diverse competencies that enable the students to think with an interdisciplinary approach.

3.1.5.   Ethical aspects

In the Rector Regulation of UNSRAT (RR-UNSRAT), Number 06 of 2015, concerning the UNSRAT Student Code of Ethics, Article 1, it states that 1) the Code of Ethics for UNSRAT Students, hereinafter referred to as the Code of Ethics, is a written guideline that is a standard of behaviour for UNSRAT students in interacting with the academic community within the scope of learning, extracurricular activities, and other activities, as well as interaction with the general community. Article 2 states that 1) the code of ethics is prepared with the intention to provide guidelines for all UNSRAT students to behave properly in carrying out activities within UNSRAT and in the community in general; 2) the objectives to be achieved in the preparation and implementation of the code of ethics are as a joint commitment of UNSRAT students in realising the vision, mission, and goals of UNSRAT, the formation of pious, knowledgeable, and virtuous students; creating an orderly, orderly educational process in a conducive academic climate; and forming students who are disciplined, ethical, and comply with legal norms and other norms that live in society.

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

Ethical aspects are integrated into learning materials, both related to academic and research ethics, as well as ethical aspects in work and practice. Material on ethics and good behaviour in the academic and research fields is introduced through several courses, such as the Quantitative-Qualitative Research Methods course and the Government Ethics course. While outsourcing ethics is taught in Human Resource Management and DRM courses, Ethical aspects also apply in writing a final project through a standard test of similarity from the thesis using the Turnitin application.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The implication of ethics in this M-PRDSSP is shown in the Research Methods and Thesis Writing Techniques course, where this course emphasises the ethical aspects of research starting from the research design, data collection process, and research reports. Writing ethics, such as avoiding plagiarism and data falsification, are also taught. A code of ethics is enforced for all the people in UNSRAT, from lecturers and students to educational staff. The compilation of ethics guidelines can be seen on the PGP-UNSRAT website < click here to see it >.

3.1.6.   Methods and scientific practice (Asterisk Criterion)

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The M-DRMSP equips students with quantitative-qualitative research methods courses. After attending this course, students gain methodological competencies that enable them to write scientific papers. Methodological competence is also obtained by students through various courses that teach analytical techniques relevant to the learning material of certain courses. In addition, structured assignments in various courses that require students to collect, process, analyse, and interpret data are also intended to provide students with practical experience related to research in the field of DRM.

Students are equipped with the necessary skills for research-oriented work and to apply those skills in their individual areas of interest. Some things that are done to support the development of these competencies and skills are involving students in lecturer research, facilitating students to attend training or workshops on writing research proposals, and writing national and international journal articles.

To ensure the quality of thesis research as well as the suitability of the type and level of analysis at the master level, the students are supervised by two lecturers who have expertise in the student's research field. The supervisors must hold a minimum doctoral degree with a minimum academic position of lector. As proof of students' methodological and substantive abilities after attending lectures and research practices, students are able to write journal articles published in international journals and/or in accredited national journals.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The learning process in each course offered by the M-PRDSSP is carried out using theoretical principles; however, practical explorations are discussed in some compulsory courses for the 2019 Curriculum. Some of the courses are Research Methods, Thesis Writing Technique, and GIS. Those courses utilise some analysis methods and software, such as SPSS. While for the GIS course, the scientific implementation comes from the ability to use spatial statistics analysis, GIS operational application, and also a project-based case study. Students' methodological skills are implemented each year through their participation in the lecturers' research, which is funded by UNSRAT. This is done to promote the competence and skill development of both the lecturers and the students.

The theoretical, methodological, and substantial skills of students after attending lectures enabled them to write a scientific article (from their research results) and publish it in a scientific journal as a requirement prior to the thesis examination. Since 2020, the student article must be published, at minimum, in the SINTA at level 6. A total of 13 students have published their articles in the SINTA Level 5 journal, and 1 student has managed to publish in the SINTA Level 6 journal.

3.1.7.   Examination and final thesis (Asterisk Criterion)

All students in the PGP-UNSRAT will experience assessment stages such as the lecture process in the form of attendance, final semester exams, and the stages of writing a final research project or thesis. The final semester exams are held after the student has attended a minimum of 80% of the 16 meetings. The exams can be held in various formats, depending on the lecturer. The assessment and passing requirements for each course (which are stated in RR-UNSRAT Number 01 of 2019, Article 51) are as follows: A grades (>80), B+ grades (76.00–79.99), B+ grades (76.00–79.99), B grades (70.00–75.99), C+ grades (65.00–69.99), C grades (60.00–64.99), D grades (50.00–59.99), and E grades (<50).

After completing the contract/passing course, students take the stage of writing a final research project or thesis. Students will be supervised by two lecturers who have expertise in the student's research field. This supervisor must hold a minimum doctoral degree with a minimum academic position of lector. Students will go through examination stages, which consist of a thesis proposal exam, a research results seminar, and a thesis exam. These processes are summarised in detail on the PGP-UNSRAT website, especially in the PGP-UNSRAT Academic Guidance < click here to visit > website (in the menu of ‘Akademik' and submenu of ‘Panduan Akademik’), in the form of Thesis Supervision Guide (click here to see it) and Thesis Writing Guide (click here to see it), which refers to the UNSRAT Rector Regulation Number 01 of 2019, concerning Guidelines for Academic Implementation at UNSRAT < click here to see it >

For the thesis exam, the draft thesis must pass the Turnitin plagiarism test (click here to see it), which is checked by the SPC with a maximum result of 20% similarity. The proof of the check result must be shown prior to the exam; it is submitted online through the PGP-UNSRAT website (click here to see it). Besides, a link to where the student articles have been published online should be provided and submitted online through the website. Another requirement prior to the examination is a TOEFL score (>450) and Academic Potency Test (APT) (>450). The proofs (certificates) of these two scores should be submitted by the students through the website.

The graduation predicate for the master programme is ‘Satisfactory’ (GPA 3.00–3.50), ‘Very Satisfactory’ (GPA 3.51–3.75 with a study period of maximum 5 semesters), and ‘Cum Laude’ (GPA 3.76–4.00 with a study period of maximum 4 semesters, with an A score of the thesis exam and no sanction). Assessment of the thesis examination is done using a thesis examination rubric (click here to see); this rubric is applied to all study programmes in PGP-UNSRAT.

3.2.      Structure

3.2.1.   Modular structure of the study programme (Asterisk Criterion)

Study opportunities are given for up to 4 years (8 semesters), and if they fail, they will drop out of study. Besides, a student is declared to drop out of his or her study for several academic reasons, namely: at the end of Semester I, the Semester Achievement Index (SAI) is < 2.75; and at the end of Semester II, the GPA is < 3.00. In addition, the modular structure of study is that the that the duration of lectures (face-to-face meetings between students and lecturers) is 100 minutes per week per semester, a structured assignment is 120 minutes per week per semester, and an independent study activity is 120 minutes per week per semester (this regulation is based on the Decree of MRTHEI Number 44 of 2015). The modular structure of the study programme in PGP-UNSRAT is described in Table 6.

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The distribution of the study load for M-DRMSP is as follows:

1. Semester I: 14 credits, consisting of 3 compulsory programme courses (CPC) (9 credits), 1 compulsory interest course (CIC) (3 credits), and 1 elective interest course (EIC) (2 credits).
2. Semester II: 13 credits, consisting of 2 CPC (6 credits), 1 CIC (3 credits), and 2 EIC (4 credits).
3. Semester III: 12 credits for the thesis course. It consists of proposals, research results seminars, and thesis examinations.
4. Semester IV: continuing the thesis course from Semester III.

Each of the courses has its own learning outcomes (CLO) that overall support graduate learning outcomes (GLO). To support the learning outcomes, two courses containing practical content are included, namely Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods and Performance Management.

Table 6

Modular Structure of Study Programme in the Post-Graduate Master Programme of Sam Ratulangi University (PGP-UNSRAT)

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The M-PRDSSP offered 7 compulsory programme courses (CPC), 2 compulsory interest courses (CIC), and 2 elective interest courses (EIC). The study can be completed in up to 1.5 years, and the number of credits achieved is 39 (62.4 ECTS). The distribution of the study load for this programme is as follows:

1. Semester I: 12 credits (19.2 ECTS), consisting of 4 CPC.
2. Semester II: 15 credits (24 ECTS), consisting of 3 CPC and 1 CIC. Besides, it is recommended to pick one of the EICs.
3. Semester III: 12 credits (19.2 ECTS) for the thesis course. It consists of It consists of proposals, research results seminars, and thesis examinations.
4. Semester IV: continuing the thesis course from Semester III.

3.2.2.   Study and exam regulations (Asterisk Criterion)

Examination regulations are listed in the RR-UNSRAT Number 01 of 2019 and the Academic Guidance of PGP-UNSRAT (click here to see it). It regulates several aspects, such as the evaluation of study results and examinations, as well as other aspects such as academic leave, course contact, and drop-out. Regulations regarding the thesis course concern procedures, requirements for taking a thesis examination, conducting a thesis examination, and thesis guidance. The lecture process can be accessed through the semi-close system of INSPIRE Academic Portal of UNSRAT (INSPIRE AP-UNSRAT) by both lecturers and students (click here to see it).

The assessment of learning outcomes (LO) is expressed by the letters A, B+, B, C+, C, D, and E, each of which is converted into the numbers 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.0, and 0. The criteria for assessing the LO for each course are stated by the letter  A (minimum evaluation average of 80.00), B+ (evaluation average of 76.00–79.99), B (evaluation average of 70.00–75.99), C+ (evaluation average score of 65.00–69.99), C (evaluation average score of 60.00–64.99), D (evaluation average score of 50.00–59.99), and E (evaluation average score below 50). If a student obtains a C+ grade, the student is required to re-contract until he obtains a minimum of a B.

The PGP-UNSRAT has implemented a thesis assessment rubric (TAR) covering novelty, ability to present, and ability to respond to every refutation given by the examining lecturer. Graduation predicates are based on the student's GPA achievements, namely, ‘Satisfactory’ (GPA 3.00–3.50), ‘Very Satisfactory’ (GPA 3.51–3.75 with a study period of maximum 5 semesters), and ‘graduation with honour’ (Cum Laude) (GPA 3.76–4.00 with a study period of maximum 4 semesters, with an A score on the thesis exam and no sanction). 

3.2.3.   Feasibility of study workload (Asterisk Criterion)

In general, the length of study (on time) for the master's programme in the PGP-UNSRAT is 2 years, equivalent to 4 semesters; however, it can be completed in 1.5 years (outstanding), equivalent to 3 semesters. This means that study completion can be targeted for 1.5 years with 39 credits in the M-DRMSP and the M-PRDSSP. The maximum length of study is up to 4 years (8 semesters); if the students fail to graduate within this period, they will have to drop out of the programme. Students who graduated on time in 2023 in the M-DRMSP were 8 (80%) out of 10 students. The M-PRDSSP also encourages its students to graduate on time, or even less (outstanding), by completing their study period. In 2019, the number of students who graduated on time in the M-PRDSSP was 1 out of 7 students (14.28%); in 2020, it was 2 out of 23 (8.69%); and in 2021, it was 4 students (28.57%).

3.2.4. Equality of opportunity

UNSRAT has basic policies regarding the implication of gender equality principles and non-discriminative acts on all students' admission and all aspects of the study programme, organisational, and academic activities. Several of the policies are stated in the UNSRAT Statute (according to the Decree of MRTHEI Number 44 of 2018, Article 13). Facilities and infrastructure provided by the M-DRMSP and the M-PRDSSP also consider the conditions of students with disabilities, such as special parking spots for disabled students, wheelchair ramps, toilets for the disabled, and many others.

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

As part of UNSRAT, the M-DRMSP implements gender equality and non-discrimination. Based on gender, the number of students in the class of 2019 was 60, consisting of 21 females and 21 males; in the class of 2020, 48, consisting of 21 females and 27 males; in the class of 2021, 53, consisting of 16 females and 37 males; in the class of 2022, 22 students, consisting of 12 females and 10 males; and in the class of 2023, 32 students, consisting of 18 females and 14 males.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The implementation of gender equality and non-discrimination principles in the M-PRDSSP can be seen in the students' demographics based on gender. In the 2019 batch, where the number of students was 7, there were 2 females (29%) and 5 males (71%). In the 2020 batch, where the number of students was 23, the number of females was 11 (48%), and the number of males was 12 (52%). In the 2021 batch, where the number of students was 14, there were 9 females (64%) and 5 males (36%). In the 2022 batch, where the number of students was 7, the number of females was 5 (71%), and the number of the number of males was 2 (29%).

3.3.      Didactical concept

3.3.1.   Logic and plausibility of the didactical concept (Asterisk Criterion)

UNSRAT launched the online portal of INSPIRE AP-UNSRAT on May 2, 2020. This portal is an integrated application intended for UNSRAT academicians (students, lecturers, employees, alumni, and parents). This portal is a breakthrough in realising a shared vision for UNSRAT Digital Campus that can support many activities, including work-from-home (WFH) and school-from-home (SFH) programs. The portal can also be accessed easily by the academic community because its user interface is quite user-friendly, and there is also a guide to using it for those who are using it for the first time or who have difficulty accessing it.

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The didactic concept applied in the M-DRMSP follows the didactic concept of teaching and learning activities in order to achieve the graduate's learning outcome (GLO) (attitudes, knowledge, and skills). To support didactic concepts, the learning methods applied include group discussions, case studies, problem-based learning, and collaborative learning. In order to achieve the GLOs, generally the CPC and CIC use the methods of group discussions, collaborative learning, and problem-based learning because the GLOs are focused on developing concepts, theories, and techniques for community development. While the EIC uses a lot of case study methods, besides others, since the GLOs of the courses are to provide solutions to problems in the field.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The didactical concept in the M-PRDSSP follows the concept of teaching and learning in supporting the achievement of all the GLOs (attitudes, knowledge, and skills). The didactics begins with the description of the semester learning plan (SLP) as a contract for lesson planning at the beginning of the course meeting. The didactic aspects conducted in this programme are carried out systematically and structurally in accordance with the Teaching and Learning Activities Processes (TLAP). The didactic aspects are carried out by lecturers through the explanation and objectives of each course, the lecture process, graduation requirements, and composition. The availability of SLP is required and should be communicated to the students in class. The learning methods used to achieve the GLOs of all courses are in the form of group discussions, simulations, case studies, and collaborative learning. Other alternative methods are lectures, discussions, presentations for self-directed assignments, group assignments and inquiries, and a review of case studies. The availability of the INSPIRE Portal currently improves communication between lecturers and students, both in checking student attendance and assigning and grading assignments.

3.3.2.   Course Materials (Asterisk Criterion)

To achieve the goals of each study programme in the PGP-UNSRAT, each of the programmes has compiled a series of courses and is equipped with SLP. Each SLP is submitted and uploaded into the INSPIRE Portal system so that students can access and learn about it freely.

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

In the M-DRMSP, as basic and conceptual knowledge, some of the courses offered by the programme include: Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods, Social Theory, and Development Theories and Paradigms. While the courses in the three fields of interest, i.e., for the interest of Resources Management (IRM) include Performance Management, and Human Resource Management courses; for the interest of of Government Science (GS) include Government Policy, and Government Management courses; for the interest of Social Resource Development (SRD), include Community Development, and Rural Sociology courses. All courses, along with the SLP documents, are submitted and uploaded into the INSPIRE Portal system so that they can be accessed by students.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The M-PRDSSP offers a number of courses, including both CPC, CIC, and EIC. In the CPC, there are 7 courses that must be contracted by all students. All of these courses provide fundamental and conceptual knowledge in the field of study. Each field of interest in this programme includes 1 CIC and 2 EIC. The existence of the INSPIRE Portal is very helpful in supporting the learning process of all these courses; besides facilitating communication between lecturers and students, it can also be used to monitor students' attendance in classes and give and assess student assignments. The portal is also helpful in facilitating the lecturing process, where lecturers can upload all the learning materials and reading sources. The lecture materials are updated every semester and uploaded into the portal, as are the SLP materials for 16 meetings. A lecturer's evaluation of the student's abilities can also be performed on this portal. Learning materials are uploaded in the form of PowerPoint slides or learning videos. All of these have been developed to answer the demand, especially in the digital era, enabling students to learn independently with case studies.

3.3.3.   Guest lecturers

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The M-DRMSP students are required to attend guest lectures or public lectures by various professionals from various professional backgrounds that are relevant to the scientific development in accordance with the competence of DRM and the areas of interest provided for students. Following are some public lectures that have been conducted in this programme:

1. The Methods and Methodology of Urban History Study was carried out on May 19, 2023, by Prof. Dr. Purnawan Basundoro., M.Hum, from Airlangga University, Indonesia.
2. The potential of Indonesia-Australia Cooperation was carried out on January 31, 2019 by Mr. Y. Kristiarto S. Legowo, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Australia.
3. The Challenges of Indonesian Youth in the Era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, was held on December 12, 2018, by Prof. Dr. Faisal Abdulah, SH., DFM. M.Si from the Youth Empowerment Sector of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia. Theme: Fiscal Policy.
4. Indonesia's Fiscal Policy was conducted on January 17, 2019 by Sri Mulyani Indrawati, SE., MSc., PhD, from the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia.
5. The National Resilience Institute of the Republic of Indonesia was conducted on June 6, 2023, by Andi Widjajanto from the National Resilience Institute of the Republic of Indonesia.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The students and lecturers of the M-PRDSSP have been participating in many public lectures on various topics that aim to enhance scientific insights. Some of the guest lectures that have been attended by the students and lecturers of this programme are the same as the lectures attended by the M-DRMSP mentioned above, in which all the guest lectures were carried out at the institution level.

3.3.4.   Lecturing tutors

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

Although this study programme has permanent lecturers, in order to deepen and enrich students' knowledge, it uses practitioners who can share knowledge and experiences. In addition, final-year students can provide tutorials to students who are in the lower semester. The forms of contributions from these final year students include: 1) improving skills in mastering software (tools) to process and analyse data; 2) guidance for the fulfilment of national and international publication obligations; 3) helping younger students to provide a deeper understanding of certain course materials, such as quantitative analysis and interpretation of research results; and 4) providing information on the accessibility of new references to students who are developing research framework plans.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

Lecturing tutors conducted in the M-PRDSSP are organised directly by the SPC, particularly during the writing stages of the students', where the programme facilitates each student so they can discuss with many lecturers, not only those whom they have as supervisors but also other lecturers. Students also take the initiative to personally contact the lecturers who are able to help them in the process of completing their final project.

Lecturing tutors are also carried out by lecturers in the Research Methods and Thesis Writing Techniques course by helping students in the form of initial guidance through discussion on their research in every class meeting. It is expected that by the end of the lectures in the course, students will have produced their research proposals. The initiative to form study groups from students is also one of the ways for each student to discuss in groups their tasks or works related to the course and even discuss their final project or thesis updates and completion.

3.4.      International outlook

3.4.1.   International contents and intercultural aspects (Asterisk Criterion)

The aspect of internationality in the PGP-UNSRAT can be seen in the aspect of academic and research cooperation with other foreign universities and institutions. For instances: 1) conducted the implementation of a collaborative workshop between UNSRAT and the University of Tubingen, Germany (30 September to 4 October 2022), in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. 2) carried out an academic collaboration with an educational institution, Ludwig Maximillian University (LMU), Munich, Germany. The collaboration began with student exchange activities, especially for students who will conduct research, both master's and doctoral; 3) conducted research collaborations with the Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany. This collaboration was a continuation of previous cooperation activities with the topic "evolution, biology, and biodiversity of marine heterobranchia (sea slugs) and associated organisms.".

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

In terms of internationality, the M-DRMSP has specific examples shown in the courses Comparative Electoral Systems, Comparative Governance, Globalisation, and Social Problems of Developing Countries. The courses are designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the electoral system, government system, globalisation, and social problems, especially in developing countries, not only in Indonesia, but also to compare with other countries. The goal of this is that students are not only able to understand and solve local or national development issues but are also able to understand and solve development problems on a global scale.

In this programme, students are also required to publish in reputable national or international publications as a prerequisite to taking the thesis examination. Therefore, the Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods course provides guidance to students regarding publication rules. In addition to reputable journals, articles written by students are required to obtain a copyright certificate issued by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The aspect of internationality in the M-PRDSSP is specifically explained implicitly in several courses, such as Pacific Region Economics, Development Economics, Public Policies, and Area Planning and Development. The Pacific Region Economics course learns about the study of economics through correlating geo-positioning and geopolitics, as well as the potential competitive advantages of North Sulawesi in the Pacific Region. The economic prospects in the Pacific region remain strong, and this area will continue to be a dynamic region in the global economy in the future. This is also the case with the Regional Development Planning course, which studies the global competitiveness of regional development. The Development Economics course specifically studies the development of a region and also compares it with the development of economies in several developing and developed countries.

3.4.2.   Internationality of the student body

The number of foreign students in the PGP-UNSRAT was 1 and had graduated; however, on these two study programmes (M-DRMSP and M-PRDSSP), there have not been any foreign students yet. However, each of the study programmes at this institution always opens up opportunities for foreigners. This institution has been making various efforts to introduce its programmes overseas in an effort to attract the interest of foreign students. One of the efforts made is to provide free tuition fees and provide assistance needed throughout their study period. This institution cooperates with the UNSRAT International Office to advertise this programme to their foreign student guests to study in the two study programmes.

3.4.3.   Internationality of faculty

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The M-DRMSP has 32 lecturers. Three of them are graduates from foreign universities (University of Groningen, Australian National University, and Monas University). Besides, there is 1 lecturer who has attended a short course in the United States and 3 lecturers who have been involved in international activities abroad (the United States and the Philippines). While the number of lecturers who are active in various international seminars, both held in Indonesia and abroad, and active in publishing articles in internationally accredited journals is 12,.

Other activities related to internationalisation include the international collaboration with Simon Fraser University, Canada, by signing a MoU in the field of education. In 2021, a student (Ms. Gladis Runtukahu) was sent to this university to join the Canada-ASEAN Scholarship and the Education Exchange Programme for Development.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The total number of lecturers at the M-PRDSSP is 24 with doctoral degrees from both domestic and foreign higher education institutions. The number of domestic graduates is 18 (75%), and there are 6 lecturers (25%) who graduated from overseas. There are 5 lecturers (31%) who participated in international conferences. The overseas graduate lecturers are from Aarhus University (Denmark), Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand), Université de Bretagne Occidentale (France), Oklahoma City University (USA), the University of New South Wales (Australia), the University of Birmingham (UK), Concordia University (Canada), the University of Queensland (Australia), York University (Canada), and the University of Newcastle (UK).

3.4.4.   Foreign language contents

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

Some courses in the M-DRMSP already use bilingual learning systems (Indonesian and English). The students are required to publish at least one article in a national or international journal; therefore, English content is included in the course learning. Courses delivered bilingually are globally oriented. The courses in question include Comparative Government, Political Economy of Development, and e-Government. Gradually, each course in this programme will have an English component.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

Some of these programme lecturers are graduates from overseas universities. This enables them to incorporate foreign language contents into their learning process by using both Indonesian and English. For instance, in some of the courses, the presentation slides for lectures are in English. It is also the same with the students' reading materials and textbooks; both are in English. The course materials by some lecturers also sharpen the students' English skills. For instance, in the course of Economics Theories, GIS, and Pacific Region Economics. The students' ability to read and listen in English has increased significantly from passive to active.

3.5.      Multidisciplinary competencies and skills (Asterisk Criterion)

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The M-DRMSP organises the teaching and learning process with curriculum coverage related to the social, cultural, economic, and political/government fields. The learning materials that cover the social field are given with the aim of answering social problems, so that students are equipped with knowledge of observing, analysing, and mapping social problems and finding solutions to these problems. Courses related to the social field include Social Theory, Social Psychology, Human Ecology, Rural Sociology, and Social and Development Institutions.

The scope of learning materials related to the field of economics includes Political Economy and Development and Financial Management courses. While courses related to culture include intercultural communication and culture study, the scope of learning materials covering the field of politics and government includes Comparative Government and Government Nanagement courses. Various learning materials are given to students so that the learning outcomes formulated by this programme can be achieved.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The learning process at the M-PRDSSP is done through discussion, independent assignments, presentations, and case studies. This is carried out for the students to appropriately master all the scientific materials around the field study and masterfully implement them in their workplace after their study period, particularly in the socio-economic aspects. The aspects of social development can be described through courses such as Social Development Capital Analysis and Participation Planning. The economical aspect can be elaborated through the courses of Theories of Economics, Pacific Region Economics, Natural Resources and Environmental Economics, Spatial Planning Economics, Public Services, Regional Planning, and Regional Development Planning. Moreover, the students' skills and competence can be mirrored through courses such as GIS, Thesis Research Methods and Writing Techniques, Decision Support System, and Statistical Analysis.

3.6.      Skills for employment/Employability (Asterisk Criterion)

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The curriculum in the M-DRMSP is prepared according to the development of knowledge and technology and is also adapted to the demands of the job market and the needs of work or promotion in student employment. The output is that students are expected to have knowledge by mastering the concepts and techniques of managing development resources associated with social, cultural, and political/governmental issues, both nationally and internationally. For example, in the course Social Problems of Developing Countries, it examines social problems in developing countries with a classical perspective of development, a perspective of development modernization, dependence and imperialism, a theory of the world (capitalist) system, criticism of dependence and imperialism, criticism of the theory of the world system, aid, free trade and socialism, international cartels, and global forums. The point is that this course provides understanding to students through a theoretical approach with a case study method so that students have comprehensive knowledge that can be used as a tool for solving social problems. It is also expected that students have the skills to identify, clarify, and solve any social, cultural, and political/governmental problems that exist in society. The student ideas and knowledge will then be published scientifically through theses, papers, or articles produced by the students.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The planning and development of a region have always been relevant topics to be discussed from time to time, considering the approaches to planning and development are aspects that correlate to one another with the aim of solving issues that are happening in the region. The curriculum of the M-PRDSSP is designed as such in accordance with the growth of regional science and technological approaches and adapted to the needs of the job market and work requirements.

The graduates are armoured with the ability to provide solutions or alternatives for solving problems in the region, from socio-economic problems to cultural and political problems. It is implied in the programme through two fields of interest, i.e., 1) regional planning and 2) regional development. In the region planning field of interest, students are equipped with the ability to identify social-economic potential and challenges through regional planning skills, while in the regional development field of interest, students are equipped with the skills to evaluate the changes and growth of a region through socio-economic aspects.

4. ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT AND FRAMEWORK CONDITIONS

4.1.      Faculty

4.1.1.   Structure and quantity of faculty in relation to curricular requirements (Asterisk Criterion)

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The M-DRMSP is supported by 32 permanent lecturers recruited from several faculties within UNSRAT. The faculties are the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, the Faculty of Agriculture, the Faculty of Economics and Business, and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. All lecturers have doctoral qualifications, and two of them have the functional position of professor.

The number and composition of lecturers are sufficient to meet the needs of teaching, student guidance, and mentoring. In terms of providing the teaching needs, the lecturers from various disciplines are sufficient to teach in the eight fields of interest (Resource Management, Development Administration, Corporate Management, Public Administration Management, Government Science, Social Resource Development, Cultural Studies, and Election Governance). Meanwhile, in terms of student supervision, according to the NAA-HEI (dated April 7, 2020), one lecturer is equal to 20 students. Thus, the programme lecturers—32 people in total—can supervise all students in each field of terest. In addition, the number of lecturers who have academic positions of lector is 10, senior lector is 20, and professor is 2.

The lecturers in this programme also have professional experience in accordance with their respective fields. For example, being expert staff of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, regents, and the Regional Development and Research Agency of North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The M-PRDSSP is fully supported by 20 permanent lecturers from various backgrounds and competencies, with a total of 4 professors, all with doctoral qualifications. In terms of numbers, the composition and competencies of the faculty are considered sufficient to fulfil the teaching and mentoring needs of the students.

In terms of providing the needs of pedagogy, the lecturers are more than enough to conduct teaching across the nine fields of interest, i.e., Theories of Economics, Pacific Region Economics, Natural Resources and Environmental Economics, Social Development Capital Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Spatial Economics Planning, Development Economics, Decision Supporting Systems, Regional Development Planning, GIS, and Participation Planning. Meanwhile, in the aspect of supervising students, the number of lecturers follows the NAA-HEI regulations, such that 1 lecturer is equal to 20 students (BAN-PT Decree No. 582/SK/BAN-PT/Akred/M/II/2018). The 20 lecturers are evenly distributed among the nine fields of interest and can mentor and supervise all students.

4.1.2.   Academic qualification of faculty (Asterisk Criterion)

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The recruitment of lecturers at the M-DRMSP, besides having a doctoral qualification, is also adjusted to the purpose of the study programme, which is to become a quality institution for master education in the fields of resource management, development administration, company management, public administration, government science, social resource development and cultural studies, election governance, and a centre for research and development of these sciences. To achieve this goal, the programme recruits lecturers who have specialisations and competence in the field.

The specialisation of the 32 lecturers (UNSRAT permanent lecturers) consists of public administration (10 people), business administration (6 people), communication science (2 people), social sciences/sociology (4 people), human resource management (1 person), political science/government (5 people), cultural studies (3 people), and law (1 person).

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The recruitment of teaching personnel in the M-PRDSSP is not only required to have doctoral qualifications (PhD or equivalent), but also must be in line with the objectives of the study programme, namely to become a high-quality institution for masters education around the fields of Economic Theory, Pacific Region Economics, Natural Resources and Environmental Economics, Social Development Capital Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Spatial Economics Planning, Development Economics, Decision Supporting Systems, and Regional Development Planning. To actualize this objective, the programme recruits lecturers who have expertise and competence in this particular field.

The specialties of the 20 lecturers who undertake full-time duties in the programme consist of Economics Theories (4 people), Pacific Region Economics (4 people), Natural Resource and Environmental Economics (4 people), Social Development Capital Analysis (4 people), Statistical Analysis (4 people), Spatial Economics Planning (4 people), Development Economics (4 people), Decision Supporting Systems (4 people), Regional Development Planning (4 people), GIS (4 people), and Participation Planning (4 lecturers). Due to the composition of the lecturers, the programme is able to carry out education and implement the objectives and expected results as described above.

4.1.3.   Pedagogical / didactical qualification of faculty (Asterisk Criterion)

The qualifications of lecturers contained in the two study programmes (M-DRMSP and M-PRDSSP) are generally applicable as stipulated under Indonesian Law Number 14 of 2005, Article 45, concerning Teachers and Lecturers. It is stated in the law that "lecturers must have academic qualifications, competencies, educator certificates, be physically and mentally healthy, meet other qualifications required by the higher education unit where they teach and work, and have the ability to realise the goals of national education." In connection with regulations related to this law, UNSRAT continues to facilitate the improvement of lecturer competence so that lecturers can obtain educator certificates.

In addition, UNSRAT facilitates various activities aimed at improving the pedagogic abilities of lecturers. Among them are training and guidance on syllabus development and lecture units, preparation of Semester Learning Plan (SLP), and improving the quality of teaching materials. UNSRAT also requires every lecturer to attend basic skills improvement training (BSIT) and Applied Approach (AA) training. Both types of training are specifically aimed at improving the pedagogical abilities of lecturers. In addition, to improve teaching didactic capacity, each lecturer is required to attend a workshop on the use of an education management system known as the learning management system.

4.1.4    Practical business experience of faculty

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

Some of the M-DRMSP lecturers have experience managing business organisations, either in positions such as commissioners, directors, managers, or as consultants or expert staff in government organizations. For example, Dr. R.E. Tampi, M.Si., and Prof. Dr. Welliam A. Areros, M.Si., are consultants as well as business people, respectively. And several lecturers have positions as special staff in districts and cities in North Sulawesi, such as Dr. Burhan Niode, MA, as an expert staff member of the Ministry of Home Affairs for Regional Autonomy; Stefanus Sampe, Ph.D., is an expert staff member at the Regional Development Planning Agency of North Sulawesi Province; and Dr. Daud Liando is part of the governor's special team in policy formulation.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

Some of the M-PRDSSP lecturers have had experience managing business organisations, whether as commissioners, directors, managers, or even consultants in governmental organizations. For example, Dr. Ir. Charles R. Ngangi MSi is an expert staff member at the Regional Development Planning Agency of North Sulawesi (from 2020 until now). He is also an expert on the poverty alleviation programme in North Sulawesi (from 2020 until now) and was on the Regional Development Awarder Team and the North Sulawesi Cultural Key Idea Organiser Team in 2023. There are also other lecturers who became expert staff for the Regional Development Planning Agency, such as Dr. Ir. Caroline B. D. Pakasi MSi (from 2020 until now), Prof. Dr. Ir. Charles Keppel, Dr. Sandra Pakasi, and Dr. Yodi Luntungan.

4.1.5.   Internal cooperation (Asterisk Criterion)

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

Internal cooperation between lecturers at the M-DRMSP occurs in the ‘Tri Dharma PT’ activities (teaching, research, and community service activities). In the field of teaching, the lecturers are grouped into several teams, with one team for each course offered each semester. After the team is formed, they are well coordinated, starting with the preparation of SLP, the preparation of learning materials, and the teaching responsibilities.

To avoid overlapping teaching materials in courses, the programme prepares a lecture monitoring form that must be filled out by lecturers after teaching by filling in the details of the lecture material taught. Interaction among lecturers also always occurs in activities such as student seminars and thesis exams, workshops, conferences, and other events. The lecturers also often collaborate in research and community service activities, both sourced from internal funds from UNSRAT and sourced from external funds, namely research and service funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of Indonesia (MECRTI), as well as sourced from other collaborative funds. An example of research collaboration between the lecturers and other institutions was research on development in the Indonesia-Philippines border area, conducted in 2022 by Dr. Burhan Niode, MA, and Dr. Welly Waworundeng, S.Sos., M.Si.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The internal cooperation between faculties in the M-PRDSSP occurs in the ‘Tri Dharma PT’ activities. In the field of teaching, the lecturers are grouped into teams, with one team for each course offered each semester. Once the teams are formed, they are appropriately coordinated, starting with the preparation of the SLP, the preparation of learning materials, and the distribution of the teaching load responsibilities.

The programme prepares class monitoring forms that must be filled in by lecturers after teaching with the details of the lecture material taught in each class meeting. The lecturers also often collaborate in research and community service activities, which are funded by internal university programmes and other external funding sources. Interaction among the lecturers also always occurs in activities such as students' thesis seminars and examinations, workshops, scientific conferences, and other events.

4.1.6. Student support by the faculty (Asterisk Criterion)

Student support is an integral part of the services provided by the PGP-UNSRAT. Such support is offered on an ongoing basis and serves to help students learn successfully. This institution provides two types of support services for students in academic and non-academic matters. Support for students is provided by both lecturers and administrative staff during learning activities. One of the ways that lecturers provide support is as an academic supervisor. This support system is regulated through the appointment of an academic advisor, who is generally appointed by the SPC and then determined by the PGP-UNSRAT director through a decree. This guidance activity is based on the UNSRAT Rector's Decree, Number 01 of 2019, concerning academic implementation. Academic advisors are tasked with guiding and directing students in planning academic activities, facilitating students in planning their research proposals, and helping students overcome academic and non-academic difficulties that may be faced.

Another form of lecturer support is when lecturers involve students in research or community service activities so that students can use the research data for their thesis needs. Joint publications can also be compiled by students and lecturers. In connection with the support from the institution through the appointment of academic supervisors to provide guidance and counselling to students, in practice, an academic supervisor must be ready to be contacted by students through various communication media, which of course needs to be mutually agreed upon by academic supervisors and students.

Academic staff also provide support during learning activities that connect students and lecturers in day-to-day activities. Furthermore, some academic support is provided to students in both programmes (M-DRMSP and M-PRDSSP) through the use of e-learning systems and the use of student academic portals (the INSPIRE AP-UNSRAT), where in the portal there are many services that facilitate students in the learning process. Some examples of this were during the pandemic, when the portal provided free Zoom meetings, consultations with online supervisors, proposal examinations, research thesis result seminars, and other activities.

4.1.7.   Student support in distance learning (only relevant and an Asterisk Criterion for blended-learning/distance learning programmes)

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

In the learning process, the M-DRMSP utilises the e-learning programme available in the UNSRAT INSPIRE Portal, in addition to utilising the portal as a medium in the learning process because it contains various learning support programmes. UNSRAT's experience in implementing "work-from-home" (WFH) during the COVID-19 pandemic made the portal a medium for distance learning by utilising the Zoom Meeting application.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The M-PRDSSP has implemented a blended learning and teaching process utilising a learning management system through the INSPIRE Portal. This online system provides digital communication facilities between students and lecturers. Students can access this system with various aspects, especially aspects of learning and lectures that present information such as lecture schedules, filling out student study plan cards (SSPC), students’ attendants to lectures, final semester examinations, student study results cards (SSRC), transcripts, and others. Lecturers can also access several menus, such as lecturer schedule information, course monitoring, lecture materials, filling in grades, and academic mentoring sessions.

4.2.      Programme management (UPPS)

4.2.1.   Programme Director (Asterisk Criterion)

The organisational structure of PGP-UNSRAT is simple and flexible. It can adapt to changes in the environment without losing coordination. Staffing in each structural unit based on its capacity and capability is implemented transparently. Organisation and work procedures of this institution refer to Organisation and Work Procedures of UNSRAT (OWP-UNSRAT) (based on the Regulation of the Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Number 49 of 2013, concerning Organisation and Work Procedures of UNSRAT).

As a state university in Indonesia, since March 2017, UNSRAT has been designated as a university with the status of Financial Management Pattern of Public Service Agencies (Indonesian: Pengelolaan Keuangan Badan Layanan Umum/PK BLU) through the Decree of the Minister of Finance of Indonesia, Number 167/KMK.05/2017. It also refers to the Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia, Number 74, concerning Amendments to the Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia, Number 23 of 2005, concerning the Management of Public Service Agencies.

In the UNSRAT Statute, Article 53, it is stated: 1) the director and deputy director of postgraduate are appointed by the Rector; 2) the term of office of the director and deputy director of postgraduate is for 4 (four) years and may be reappointed for 1 (one) term of office". Furthermore, in the OWP-UNSRAT, Article 69, Paragraph 3, it is stated that 'postgraduate is led by a director who is responsible to the rector’; and in Paragraph 4, it is stated that ‘postgraduate consists of: a) director and deputy director; and b) administration subdivision.

The PGP-UNSRAT is led by a director. In carrying out his duties, the director is assisted by two deputy directors, namely 1) the Deputy Director for Academic, Student Affairs, and Planning; and 2) the Deputy Director for General Administration and Finance. The relationship between the director and the deputy director and other units, as well as administrative services to students, are conducted by education personnel in the administration sub-division. The administration sub-division is led by a coordinator and assisted by the administration staff. The following is an explanation of those positions:

1. Director

The Director is the highest leader in the PGP-UNSRAT in providing education, research, and community service, fostering lecturers, education staff, and students. Directors, who are appointed and dismissed by the rector, have the task of carrying out the education of master and doctoral programmes in the field of multidisciplinary science and carrying out quality assurance of those programmes organised by the faculty. Furthermore, the details of his duties are listed on the postgraduate website (click here to visit the site).

1. Deputy Director

A deputy director is an element of programme leadership that functions to assist the director in carrying out his main functions and duties. The deputy is appointed and dismissed by the rector on the proposal of the director. There are 2 deputies in the institution; they are:

1. Deputy Director I (academic, student affairs, and planning) has the task of assisting the director in leading the implementation of education, research, community service, student and alumni affairs, cooperation, information systems, and planning in the institution.
2. Deputy Director II (general affairs and finance) has the task of assisting the director in leading the implementation of activities in the fields of general administration, finance, personnel, and infrastructure.

1. Administration Division

Administration has the task of carrying out academic and student affairs, planning, finance, staffing, administration, household, state property, cooperation, and information systems in the institution. Furthermore, the details of the duties are listed on the website.

1. Study Programme Coordinator (SPC)

The study programme is led by a coordinator (based on the OWP-UNSRAT). The SPC is appointed and dismissed by the rector on the proposal of the director. The coordinator is responsible for the successful implementation of the ‘Tri Dharma PT’ (education, research, and community service) in the study program. The coordinator is assisted by administrative staff in managing the implementation of administrative and learning activities, all of which are within the institution and are directly under the director. The coordinator also always coordinates with the institution management every month to discuss lecture monitoring, and if lecture activities do not meet the standards, the coordinator will give a warning to the lecturer concerned and ask for improvements. The coordinator also evaluates lecture material and will follow up on the results of the evaluation to ensure that the material obtained and given by lecturers to students is appropriate and the learning process runs smoothly. Details of the duties are listed on the website (click here to visit).

4.2.2.   Process organisation and administrative support for students and faculty

As mentioned in Section 4.2.1, the SPC is assisted by administrative staff. The staff is part of the administrative division. The division is coordinated by a functional coordinator who is in charge of carrying out technical tasks and administrative functions in the institution and is assisted by administrative staff. All the staff are tasked with providing support and services for all learning processes, including lecturers and students. The explanation of the duties and services of administrative staff is:

1. Education and Student Services has the task and function of providing educational administrative support and is responsible for the creation of effective and efficient educational administration services and their implementation.
2. General Services and Equipment has the task and function of providing general administrative support, equipment, and supplies. It is responsible for ensuring the availability of effective and efficient general administrative services, equipment, and supplies.
3. Financial and Personnel Services: in charge of carrying out financial and personnel administrative support and responsible for ensuring and implementing effective and efficient financial and personnel administration services.

In daily activities, the services that are most often related to students and lecturers are education and student services, where educational staff provide administrative services to students and lecturers. Education service staff are involved in preparing all academic activities, such as registration and supporting lecturers in carrying out lectures, ranging from providing rooms to technical equipment for lectures. With regard to administrative services related to the activities of lecturers and students, academic staff can contact the person or service concerned directly or provide information through a WhatsApp group so as to facilitate and accelerate the rapid exchange of information about lectures and other matters related to teaching.

In terms of developing the abilities of administrative staff, provide opportunities for the staff to attend trainings to improve their skills and knowledge. In addition, they are given the opportunity to continue formal education as long as it does not interfere with their basic tasks. Benchmarking at several universities in the country has become a routine agenda item intended to develop insight and the ability to provide good administrative services. Other training, such as excellent service, archives, and other training activities, is also intended to improve the performance of education staff in carrying out duties and providing services for students and lecturers.

4.3.      Cooperation and partnerships

4.3.1.   Cooperation with HEIs and other academic institutions or networks (Asterisk Criterion for cooperation programmes)

All the study programmes in the PGP-UNSRAT have the authority to establish cooperation or partnerships with other universities, institutions, and outside parties. The cooperation is in a unified network that is integrated into the entire internal scope of the institution, ranging from universities, faculties, postgraduates, and study programs. This institution, through its study programmes, cooperates and partners with the government and other universities, both national and international; this has made a real contribution to efforts to improve the image of the institution and strengthen the ganization. Among the several partnerships and collaborations carried out by the institution, which are currently running, among others, in the fields of research and study, student exchanges, and community services. This partnership aims to support and improve the quality of the program. Partner organisations include educational organisations and other organisations, both national and international.

Educational collaboration with Simon Fraser University (SFU), Canada, presents guest lecturer Prof. David Zandvliet in order to enhance students' knowledge. Another activity in collaboration is a student exchange. In 2022, a student, Ms. Gladys Runtukahu, attended a 3-month lecture at the SFU. Cooperation with other foreign universities in the field of research is with several universities in Germany, including the University of Tubingen, the University of Bonn, the University of Munich, the University of Oldenburg, the University of Bremen, and the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences.

Cooperation with domestic universities, for instance, with Udayana University in Bali, Indonesia, through the exchange of doctoral external examiners; and with Tadulako University in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Partnerships are carried out with government institutions, among others, with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Indonesia in providing scholarships for students studying in the Master of Public Health Science Study Programme of PGP-UNSRAT. Partnerships with other institutions, such as the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, in terms of accepting their staff to become students at the PGP-UNSRAT.

4.3.2.   Cooperation with business enterprises and other organisations (Asterisk Criterion for educational and vocational programmes, franchise programmes

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The M-DRMSP collaborates with professional organisations, namely the Indonesian Development Studies Consortium (IDSC). This collaboration is built in the context of curriculum development as well as developing the quality of lecturers and students through educational and research activities.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The M-PRDSSP is part of the Association of Indonesian Planning Schools (AIPS), which is an association as a forum for higher education planning schools that, in a spirit of togetherness and equality, aims to collaborate continuously in educating, researching, and developing planning science with character, a comprehensive systemic view, holistic, and prescriptive capabilities for the future in "solving" regional and rural development problems with dimensions of space and time and in realising the prosperity of a dignified nation and state.

4.4. Facilities and equipment

4.1 Quantity, quality, media, and IT equipment of teaching and group rooms (Asterisk Criterion)

The PGP-UNSRAT has two main, five-story buildings. The two buildings are used for lectures, study programme offices, seminar rooms, examination rooms, video conference rooms, meeting rooms, doctoral promotion examinations, halls, conference halls, lecturer workspaces, student workspaces, and others. The 1st floor is used for administrative services, lecturers' workspaces, offices, and security. All of these facilities can be used by PGP-UNSRAT students and lecturers free of charge. Table 7 shows the facilities provided in the PGP-UNSRAT that can be used by students and lecturers.

Table 7

PGP-UNSRAT facilities provided for students and lecturers activities

All buildings have been equipped with stable internet access for academic activities by using student or lecturer accounts and passwords before browsing it. If there are problems accessing the internet, there is a hotline to contact to overcome this, or it can be directly contacted through the Technology and Information Service of UNSRAT (TIS-UNSRAT). The institution provides a special room that can be used to do assignments and research and is equipped with facilities in the form of tables, chairs, and the internet, which are facilitated and can be accessed by students for free. For facilities in the form of space for research, students are facilitated according to their needs.

To use laboratories, both for learning and research, PGP-UNSRAT students and lecturers can use integrated laboratories at the university level or laboratories at faculties at UNSRAT. All facilities at UNSRAT are shared with all UNSRAT students and lecturers.

4.4.2 Access to literature (Asterisk Criterion)

UNSRAT has an integrated library that can be accessed onsite or online by all students and lecturers. It is equipped with qualified librarians and administration staff to provide students and lecturers with the necessary information. It has thousands of collections, both in print and electronic forms (including more than 25,000 textbooks, 2500 reference books, and 3600 journals, as well as several proceedings, theses, and more than 5,000 books and electronic journals such as the Springer e-book, Oxford e-book, Sage e-journal, and Willey e-book). The library can be visited onsite on weekdays from 08:00 to 16:00 (click here to visit the library website). For the electronic collections, the library provides an e-library that can be accessed online, especially for international and national journals that are subscribed to by UNSRAT or by the higher education office in Jakarta. However, this e-library system uses a semi-closed system to be accessed. It means one should have an account to access it. Therefore, this system is integrated with the INSPIRE Portal, where each of the UNSRAT students, lecturers, and administration staff has their own account in the portal. In addition, the library has a room with a capacity of up to 100 people and is also equipped with about 50 computers with internet connections. Table 8 shows the number of collections in the UNSRAT Library.

Table 8

UNSRAT Library Collections

In the PGP-UNSRAT, there is an auxiliary library to serve the programme students and lecturers. It provides printed collections (text books, books, journals, papers, and other scientific literature and publications) so that students and lecturers can access them onsite. Besides, the institution provides reading rooms for self-study. The library uses an open system, so no membership is needed for students and lecturers to access it. 

4.5. Additional services

4.5.1. Career counselling and placement service

UNSRAT has a career centre organised by an institution called Learning, Coaching, and Development Institution of UNSRAT (LCDI). This institution aims to prepare UNSRAT alumni for the world of work as well as provide a place for communication between UNSRAT alumni who need work information and others. This convenience can be used through smart phones. The mobile-based UNSRAT Career Centre Information System is an application used by alumni of UNSRAT students to get information and also share job vacancy information. The creation of this application is based on the use of smartphones, followed by increasingly advanced technological developments. In designing and developing this application, it used data collection techniques by means of interviews and literature studies in order to obtain data that suits your needs.

In addition, career counselling and placement services are offered to students and graduates on an individual basis. These activities are planned on a long-term basis, carried out regularly, and actively marketed. Sufficient staff are available for this purpose. In study programmes, there is also an alumni network that can provide information for graduates to be able to work in companies or institutions that have alumni in them.

4.5.2. Alumni Activities

UNSRAT alumni are organised by the Alumni Association of UNSRAT (AA-UNSRAT). This association has spread to various places all across the nation, even abroad. The members of this association have dwelt on various activities and occupations in their respected fields. All the activities and results conducted by this association are for the advancement of UNSRAT, both in academic and non-academic activities. Currently, the board for the association has been chosen for the period of 2021–2025.

The association has regularly and periodically given support for the academic activities at UNSRAT, including donations of funds and facilities. In addition, it also conducts public lecture activities that present UNSRAT's alumni as invited speakers.

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The M-DRMSP has an alumni association; it is part of the PGP-UNSRAT Alumni Association (AA-PGP) and AA-UNSRAT. The AA-PGP UNSRAT carries out various activities, such as participating in ‘Dies Natalis’ events, seminars, and conferences organised by the PGP-UNSRAT. The programme alumni play a major role in supporting the programme by donating reference materials (books) for libraries, facilities, and others. They also facilitate activities that are beneficial to the academic community and support the academic atmosphere in PGP-UNSRAT.

Alumni input is also very meaningful for the improvement of the learning process in the programme. Alumni are involved in various ways to improve the quality of education, especially for curriculum revision. This includes participation in tracer studies, involvement in the teaching and learning process by inviting them to give guest lectures, and inviting them to provide input and suggestions on the learning process.

Another important form of contribution from alumni is to build a network that connects PGP-UNSRAT and M-DRMSP with various parties, both national and international. Besides, their direct contribution to the programme was assistance in providing facilities in the form of personal computers (1 unit), laptops (1 unit), printers (2 units), and LCD projectors (2 units).

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

M-PRDSSP has its own alumni association. The association is a member of the AA-PGP UNSRAT and AA-UNSRAT. Just like the M-DRMSP alumni association, this association, together with the AA-PGP UNSRAT, carries out various activities too. It also provides facilities and donates educational facilities to the programme, participates in community services, establishes networks with other parties, and acts as a tool of socialisation for the study programme.

The alumni also donated materials to the programme, for instance, donations in the form of book literature, maintenance and repair for air conditioners (AC), and the procurement of liquid crystal displays (LCD) in order to improve the learning process so it can occur properly and comfortably. The alumni's input for the improvement of the teaching and learning process is obtained through a tracer study of the graduates and users. The results of the tracer study in the form of input are scheduled and discussed during meetings organised by the programme.

4.6.      Financing of the study programme (Asterisk Criterion)

As a state university, funds derived from the country budget (Indonesian: Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Negara/APBN) and non-tax country revenue (NTCR) (Indonesian: Pendapatan Negara Bukan Pajak/PNBP) are allocated for financing the PGP-UNSRAT in the form of investment and operational funds for education. All these budgets are managed in accordance with applicable regulations in Indonesia. For instance, the use of the NTCR budget is based on a government regulation (GR Number 60/1999), and the budget is managed in accordance with a ministerial decree (the Decree of the Minister of Finance, Number 115/PMK.06/2001).

Concerning the budgets whose sources are from NTCR, the allocation of their use is broadly grouped into six aspects, i.e., 1) office services; 2) education services; 3) research services; 4) community service; 5) learning support facilities and infrastructure; and 6) office support facilities and infrastructure. Instructions regarding budget allocation are given to all institutions and units within the UNSRAT to be used as guidelines in proposing expenditures for each institution and unit.

Supervision and audit of the implementation of budget programmes and activities at UNSRAT are carried out by the Inspectorate General of the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education of Indonesia (IG-MRTHEI), the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency of Indonesia (FDSAI), and the Financial Audit Board of Indonesia (FABI) as external supervisors. The implementation of supervision by the IG-MRTHEI is carried out at least once a year, while audits or reviews by the FDSAI are carried out as needed. The IG-MRTHEI conducts supervision and audits for both academic and non-academic fields, while the FDSAI is special for non-academic fields, for example, the administration of the use of funds for spending on facilities and infrastructure. Supervision by the FABI, specifically in the financial sector, includes a comprehensive examination of financial statements. Internal financial audits are carried out by the UNSRAT Internal Audit Unit (IAU-UNSRAT). Supervision by IAU-UNSRAT is carried out in non-academic fields in the form of continuous supervision (ongoing) and separate supervision. Special supervision of academic administration is carried out by the UNSRAT Quality Assurance Institution (QAI-UNSRAT) and the UNSRAT Academic Senate.

The following financial data, facilities, and infrastructure at the PGP-UNSRAT can be seen in the following diagram:

1. Finance

1. Allocation and use of funds for educational operational costs include lecturer fees, education personnel costs, educational operational costs, and indirect operational costs.
2. Use of funds for permanent lecturer research activities: the average of research funds per year in 3 assessment years continues to increase from year to year. With nominal amounts of IDR 10.3 billion, IDR 13.4 billion, and IDR 14.2 billion in the third year.

In order to achieve standards in the field of finance, the PGP-UNSRAT empowers available resources, such as standard rules that have been set by the government and also by the university and the finance department of the institution. With the available resources, the institution is able to achieve the targets and standards that have been set.

Efforts to increase funding sources are carried out through cooperation with other parties, from the government to private institutions, both national and international. Other efforts are through the participation of lecturers in obtaining competition grants for both research and community service activities at the national level. Therefore, the PGP-UNSRAT strives to encourage lecturers to attend workshops to improve the quality of human resources. Currently, there are several ‘Tri Dharma PT’ activities that are assisted or obtained from outside parties, namely the competitive grants scheme for the Directorate General of Higher Education of Indonesia (DGHEI). The institution also seeks to expand the network of institutional cooperation.

5. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND DOCUMENTATION (UPM)

5.1.      Quality assurance and quality development with respect to contents, processes and outcomes

The Quality Assurance System (QAS) in the PGP-UNSRAT is part of the QAS at UNSRAT. The QAS at UNSRAT is managed by the QAI-UNSRAT; it is based on the OWP-UNSRAT. The QAS at UNSRAT is regulated in the UNSRAT Statute.

The QAS in the M-DRMSP and the M-PRDSSP is an integrated part of the QAS of PGP-UNSRAT and UNSRAT. The quality assurance (QA) at UNSRAT is carried out by the QAI-UNSRAT. This institution, among others, makes a standard operating procedure (SOP) for academic QA as a reference for all faculties in UNSRAT in preparing a quality manual, which is the basis for all study programs. The implementation of the QAS is intended to ensure that the quality of the implementation of academic activities runs in accordance with QA standards, accompanied by feedback and follow-up.

The QA in the PGP-UNSRAT is coordinated by a QA unit, namely the QAU-PGP. This unit is established through the Decree of the PGP-UNSRAT Director, Number 1168/UN12.12/LL/2018. The unit team consists of the chairperson, secretary, and members. The duties of the unit are: 1) monitoring and evaluating the academic process at all study programmes within the PGP-UNSRAT and reporting the results to the director and rector periodically in every semester; 2) compiling documents related to the academic field at the institution.

The implementation of QAU-PGP activities is based on the quality manual or work instructions in accordance with the eight standards of the National Standard of Higher Education of Indonesia (NSHEI). To support the efforts of the QAS, the quality manual (QM), procedure manual (PM), and work instruction guidelines (WIG) were prepared (click here to see the products).

All policies implemented by the PGP-UNSRAT in relation to QA are mainly for making continuous improvements in accordance with the evaluations carried out by all units related to teaching and learning activities. In addition, a survey is carried out to obtain feedback from students, lecturers, and even from PGP-UNSRAT. It is done to obtain input for improving ongoing or planned processes. Instruments used to obtain feedback are available in e-documents, including evaluation of learning by students (ELS), study programme self-evaluation (SPSE) (click here to see how to access them), and monitoring and evaluation forms. The evaluation results show progress, especially in relation to the completion of student studies and the review of the previous curriculum by making changes to the implementation of the curriculum that are no longer in line with developments and with reasonable considerations. The results of the feedback are then evaluated in the management review meeting (MRM), which is carried out periodically once a year, in addition to the evaluation meeting conducted every semester. Follow-up from the MRM and semester evaluation meetings is carried out to improve in accordance with standardised indicators.

All the activities mentioned above have an impact on improving academic quality and quality management improvement services in the study programmes and the PGP-UNSRAT. The implementation of the internal QAS in the institutions, including both study programmes (M-DRMSP and M-PRDSSP), is carried out following a QA cycle or pathway according to the standards of higher education institutions, which include the stages of setting, implementing, evaluating achievement, controlling achievement, and improving (SIECI), based on the internal QA guidelines issued by the Higher Education Institution of Indonesia (HEI), especially the Directorate General of Learning and Student Affairs, Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education in 2016. In UNSRAT, it is implemented in 5 stages, as shown in Figure 16. A cycle of the QA is for one academic year.

Figure 16. Internal Quality Assurance Cycle of UNSRAT

In UNSRAT, in order to support the implementation of the internal QAS, various instruments are provided that are needed by the faculties and study programs. Academic standards at the PGP-UNSRAT are compiled and determined as a reference for the implementation of ‘Tri Dharma PT’ activities in accordance with the NSHEI. The content is combined with seven standards used by the NAA-HEI. On the other hand, if the results of the self-evaluation show that the set quality standards have been achieved, then in the implementation of the next cycle, the quality standards are improved by comparing standards between internal UNSRAT sections and external standards of other universities (benchmarking).

The M-DRMSP and M-PRDSSP, in implementing the QA, always coordinate with the QAI-UNSRAT; besides, they also coordinate with the Learning Assessment and Development Institution (LADI-UNSRAT), which is in charge of reviewing the implementation of the learning process and the study programme curriculum in UNSRAT. Follow-up on the need to improve quality and harmony in the curriculum and learning system is facilitated by the LADI-UNSRAT. The result is the renewal of the study programme curriculum and improving the quality of the learning process by producing various learning modules.

In addition to organising the IQAS, the study programmes also conduct an external quality assurance system (EQAS) through accreditation by the NAA-HEI (click here to visit the institution website) and the Higher Education Institution Database (HEID) (click here to visit the institution website), which is directed to realise the vision and mission of the study programmes by improving quality periodically as a form of accountability for the implementation of higher education study programmes to the public. The implementation of re-accreditation by the NAA-HEI held every 5 years is a form of accountability of the study programme to the community in the implementation of higher education and to stakeholders. In addition, the EQAS at the PGP-UNSRAT is also carried out based on the implementation of the international standard of Quality Management System (QMS) of ISO 9001:2015 and the standard of Educational Organisation Management System (EOMS) of ISO 21001:2018.

5.2. Instruments of quality assurance

The PGP-UNSRAT already has an IQAS document in the form of quality policy, quality manuals, and quality standards, along with all the forms that are part of the PGP-UNSRAT operational standards. The current 2022 document is the result of the revision of the 2019 document. The preparation of the document is carried out through evaluations carried out by a working team formed at the institution level. The preparation of the document refers to the UNSRAT academic standards, the NSHEI, and the UNSRAT Statute.

The IQAS document includes:

• - Quality Policy
• - Quality Manual
• - Quality Standard
• Academic Standards for Undergraduate Programmes
• Academic Standards for Master's Programmes
• Academic Standards for Doctoral Programmes
• Research Standards
• Community Service Standards
• ICT Standard
• Online Learning Standards
• Student Standards
• Cooperation Standard
• - Academic Regulations
• - other derivative documents, such as SOPs and implementation forms.

The PGP-UNSRAT IQAS document exceeds the NSHEI. It is available in full, is developed continuously, and has international quality recognition, as stated by the success of the institution and the QMS of ISO 9001:2015 and the EOMS of ISO 21001:2018. The preparation of the document was carried out through several workshops and discussions (focused group discussions) by inviting resource persons from the external quality audit institute of the National Accreditation Committee (NAC). The quality standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been implemented and carried out external audits once a year by NAC surveillance and internal quality audits of IQA-UNSRAT once a year. The quality documents are also prepared by conducting a branch-marking stage at leading universities in the country, such as Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), and Universitas Indonesia (UI), as well as abroad, such as AUN-QA Bangkok, Thailand, in addition to participating in IQA training conducted by the IQA-UNSRAT.

5.2.1.   Evaluation by students

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The Evaluation of Learning by Students (ELS) on the learning process is periodically carried out by LADI-UNSRAT. The results of this evaluation will be used as a benchmark for achieving learning process standards. For the PGP-UNSRAT, the evaluation is carried out thoroughly at the institution level for all the study programmes.

In the M-DRMSP, the material evaluated is satisfaction with the pedagogic, professional, personality, and social competencies of lecturers who are active in the programme. The entire evaluation material totaled 30 questions. Questions about pedagogic competency abilities (Questions 1–10), questions about professional competency abilities (Questions 11–17), questions about personality competency abilities (Questions 18–23), and questions about social competency abilities (Questions 24–30) The results of the evaluation are then discussed at the institution level with the SPC, who is responsible for preparing an action plan for improvement. In addition, aspects of the Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) are carried out to adjust to lecture conditions and labour market dynamics so that the lecture conditions are conducive.

The results of the evaluation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, show that online learning is effective, although some students are sometimes constrained by the internet network. In general, learning has taken place according to schedule. Learning materials are in accordance with existing SLP, and generally, students find them easy to understand. The result of the ELS at the M-DRMSP is shown on the chart in Figure 17.

Figure 17. Results of the Student Satisfaction Level Survey of the Development Resource Management Study Programme.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The learning process conducted by UNSRAT is done through continuous and periodic evaluations, which aim to produce a benchmark for achieving the standard of the learning process. Evaluations are done at M-PRDSSP and are carried out thoroughly at the at the PGP-UNSRAT level. The evaluation materials are related to the students' satisfaction with the pedagogical competence, professionalism, personality, and social aspects of the teaching staff in the programme. Figure 18 shows the result of the satisfaction level of students at M-PRDSSP.

Figure: Survey Results of the Satisfaction Level of Students at M-PRDSSP

5.2.2.     Evaluation by faculty

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The M-DRMSP conducts a satisfaction survey online (using Google Form) for lecturers every year. The aim of the survey is to assess lecturer satisfaction with the teaching and learning processes and learning support facilities. The results of the 2022 survey at M-DRMSP are shown in Table X1.

Table X1

Result of the lecturer satisfaction survey/evaluation of the teaching and learning processes at the Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP) in 2022 (N = 20)

It shows in Table X1 that all respondents (20 people) stated that, starting from the preparation of the curriculum to the publication of works, they always include elements of vision and mission. In addition, all respondents also stated that they always strive to improve their information and technology (IT) mastery. The results of the lecturers' evaluation of the learning support facilities available in the programme can be seen in Table X2.

Table X2

Result of the lecturer satisfaction survey/evaluation of the learning support facilities at the Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP) in 2022 (N = 20)

It shows in Table X2 that all respondents (20 lecturers) stated that they had excellent WiFi facilities, study rooms, and staff services in the program. Nineteen respondents stated that the teaching aid facilities were very good, and one respondent stated that they were good. About the reading room facilities, there were 17 respondents and 3 respondents, each of whom stated very good. Regarding the study programme accreditation, there were 15 respondents who stated very good, and 3 respondents and 2 respondents who each stated good and quite good.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The M-PRDSSP also conducts an online (using a Google Form) satisfaction survey for all the lectures every year with the purpose of examining lecturers' satisfaction with the teaching and learning process and learning support facilities at the program. The result was analysed and evaluated for board members' decision-making. The 2022 survey result shows that all course activities, starting from the curriculum structures, the suitability of courses with competencies and the preparation of SLP, theories and practices, research and community services, publications, and the increase of IT mastery, are always carried out to support the vision, mission, goals, and objectives of the study programme (Tables X3 and X4).

Table X3

Result of the lecturer satisfaction survey/evaluation of the teaching and learning processes at the Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme (M-PRDSSP) in 2022 (N = 20)

Table X4

Result of the lecturer satisfaction survey/evaluation of the learning support facilities at the Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme (M-PRDSSP) in 2022 (N = 20)

The result in Table X4 indicates that as many as 14 lecturers (70%) are satisfied with WiFi facilities, 12 lecturers (60%) are satisfied with teaching and learning room facilities, 11 lecturers (55%) can be considered satisfied with learning tools facilities, 17 lecturers (85%) consider satisfied with reading room facilities, 11 lecturers (55%) consider satisfied with snacks and drinks facilities, and 11 lecturers (55%) consider themselves satisfied with the service from administrative staff. 16 lecturers (80%) were satisfied with the toilet facilities, 20 lecturers (100%) were satisfied with the security facilities, 17 lecturers (85%) were pleased with the parking facilities, and 16 lecturers (80%) indicated that they were satisfied with the current accreditation of the study programme. The total number of lecturers who filled out the questionnaire was 20.

5.2.3.     External evaluation by alumni, employers, and third parties

In addition to organising the IQAS, the study programmes also conduct the EQAS through accreditation by the NAA-HEI, the Higher Education Database, and the SINTA (Science and Technology Index) by the Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education, which is directed to realise the vision and mission of the study programme by improving quality periodically as a form of accountability for the implementation of higher education study programmes to the public. The implementation of re-accreditation by NAA-HEI held every 5 years is a form of accountability of the study programme to the community in the implementation of higher education and to stakeholders. The EQAS at the PGP-UNSRAT is also carried out based on the implementation of QMS ISO 9001:2015 and EOMS ISO 21001:2018.

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

The evaluation of alumni at M-DRMSP was carried out on 30 graduates at the end of the AY 2022/2023, which included aspects of job availability and career development. From the result, it was found that job opportunities were still widely available for the graduates since it was found that 20% of them immediately got jobs after graduation. In addition, 60% of them immediately get promotions at their respective agencies after graduation.

The evaluation result of graduate user institutions totaling 22 respondents includes aspects of ethics, expertise in the field of science, foreign language skills, use of information technology, communication skills, cooperation, and self-development. The result shows that the majority of the institutions (82%) give a very good assessment to the alumni who work at their institutions. While the remaining 18% gave a good assessment, It indicates that the programme graduates can adapt to the work environment.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

The existence of the M-PRDSSP at the present time is inseparable from the continuous evaluation process conducted every year by the UNSRAT, the PGP-UNSRAT, and the study programme. The process is done by sending out questionnaires to the alumni and users (stakeholders). The students who study in the programme are those who are employed, but some are unemployed. For unemployed students, after graduating, they can get jobs such as honorary staff, university lecturers, and civil servants and government officials of the country. For those who are employed, after graduation, most of them get a promotion in their workplace.

The result of the graduate user survey (30 respondents) indicates that as many as 60% of the respondents assessed the ethical performance of the graduates to be very good, 60% assessed 'very good' for the performance of expertise in the field of science (main competencies), 60% assessed “good enough” for the performance of foreign language skills, as the majority of 80% rated “very good” for the performance of the use of information technology (IT), 80% assessed “very good” for the performance of communication skills, 80% assessed “very good” for the performance of cooperation, 80% assessed “very good” for the performance of self-development, and 80% of the graduates has gotten a promotion after graduating from college.

5.3.      Programme documentation

5.3.1.   Programme description (Asterisk Criterion)

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

Information about the M-DRMSP can be accessed through the UNSRAT website (click here to visit) and the PGP-UNSRAT website (click here to visit). Banners are also placed in the lobby of the PGP-UNSRAT and the programme offices, making them easily accessible to the academic community and the public. This information includes: 1) vision, mission, goals, and objectives of the study programme; 2) PGP-UNSRAT history; 3) organisational structure; 4) lecturer profile; 5) students; 6) education personnel; 7) academic information (among others: academic regulations, quality assurance unit, academic guidelines, and code of ethics); 8) non-academic information (among others: cooperation and alumni); 9) study programmes; 10) documentation; and 11) facilities.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

Information regarding the M-PRDSSP can be accessed through the website (click here to visit). Within the site, it provides all relevant information on the study programme, such as vision, mission, objectives, curriculum, and learning process. Meanwhile, learning and academic activities in the study programme can be accessed through the semi-closed online system of the INSPIRE Portal Managerial (click here to access), which can only be accessed by the SPC. The managerial portal is used to manage course information, such as academic supervision, class data, class participants, active students, study plan cards and study results cards, lecturers, and filling out and recapitulating student grades, as well as managing the completion of students' theses (starting with the submission of supervisors), scheduling proposal seminars, results seminars, and comprehensive examinations.

5.3.2.   Information on activities during the academic year

Information on the PGP-UNSRAT study programme activities and academic calendars is available on the website, which can be accessed by all students, lecturers, administration personnel, and the public. This website provides complete information about the number of credits that must be taken, the curriculum, the lecture schedule, the name of the lecturer who teaches the course, and the and the lecture monitoring information presented in the Academic Guide of the PGP-UNSRAT (click here to see). Activities of general administration, finance, academics, student affairs, planning, cooperation, facilities and infrastructure, and various office and learning support facilities are presented in the PGP-UNSRAT Annual Report uploaded to the website (click here to see it).

The PGP-UNSRAT website also presents administrative procedures for proposing academic activities, from proposed research proposal seminars to research results exams for both master and doctoral programmes. It includes an examination of the thesis and dissertation.

Proposals for the issuance of supervisory decrees, proposals for extension of the supervisory decrees, and proposals for examiners are carried out online through each student's INSPIRE Portal, and execution is carried out through the SPC Managerial INSPIRE Portal.

Master of Development Resources Management Study Programme (M-DRMSP)

Information on the M-DRMSP activities and academic calendar is provided on the PGP-UNSRAT website and can be accessed by all students and lecturers. The website provides complete information about the curriculum, lecture schedule, name of the lecturer who teaches courses, SLP, and others. Information about studies in this programme is also conveyed to students at the first meeting of each semester.

Master of Planning and Regional Development Science Study Programme

(M-PRDSSP)

Information about course activities during the academic year at M-PRDSSP is available at the PGP-UNSRAT website, while the UNSRAT website provides profile information, especially concerning academic and non-academic activities at all the programmes at UNSRAT. Inside the PGP-UNSRAT website, the information provided is mainly the academic aspects, namely the learning stages and study processes regarding the master students in this study programme, academic regulations, quality assurance unit, academic guidelines, online registration, new student admissions, academic calendars and schedules, anti-plagiarism systems, codes of ethics, and access to the academic system (UNSRAT INSPIRE Portal). The non-academic profile consists of cooperation with various partners, activities, student associations, graduates, self-evaluation results, self-evaluation questionnaires, and PS-IPPW tuition payment information. The existence of the UNSRAT INSPIRE Portal has supported the process of teaching and learning activities. The portal has integrated all the module applications used in the UNSRAT community, including students, lecturers, administrative staff, and lecturers with additional duties. The INSPIRE portal provides easier access to users regarding the modules used, one of which is for the teaching and learning process.