Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) responded positively to the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education’s policy on research standards in national universities. “UMS positively welcomes the policy,” said UMS Vice Chancellor I, Academic Affairs Prof., Dr., Harun Joko Prayitno, Kamarin when interviewed.

Harun revealed that the policy refers to the Decree of the Chancellor of UMS No. 155/II/2017, regarding the guidance of the final project/thesis, and the Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia No. 20 of 2018 concerning Research by the Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia No. 3 of 2020 concerning National Higher Education Standards.

It was also mentioned that the new policy of graduating without this thesis was through subsidies for publications with international reputation. “This program is expected to be able to foster innovation and encourage talent development from undergraduate program graduates,” he said.

He also explained that the conditions were that he had to do and prepare a Final Project (TA) in the form of Scientific Writing (KTI). For undergraduate (S1) in the form of Scientific Writing, thesis for master program (S2), and dissertation for doctoral program (S3) students.

Then, he emphasized that the focus of the guidance for this final project or scientific paper was directed at one of the outcomes or Outcame Based Education (OBE). The output form of this program is one of the tangible forms of the academic process produced by students in the context of the Independent Learning Campus Merdeka (MBKM) and is declared eligible based on the criteria set to obtain funding support from the Indonesian Innovation Talent Program.

“In addition to free thesis students, they also receive publication funding assistance,” said Prof. Aaron.

This program refers to the guidelines for the Indonesian innovation talent program issued by the Ministry of Education and Culture in 2021. The aim is to support the birth of bright ideas or creativity of students who can solve the nation’s problems and can make the Indonesian nation proud.

This is in line with the determination of the UMS OBE program in June 2021.

“OBE-based UMS learning is in principle a concretion of the Indonesian Innovation Talent Development (PTII) as stated in the PTII circular and guidelines,” he said.

He also advised, “Thus students can complete their studies according to their abilities and skills. In addition, this program is an umbrella for students who want to use an alternative to graduate without a thesis,” he concluded