SEMARANG – Nutrition Study Program of Faculty of Medicine Diponegoro University (UNDIP) continues to make breakthrough and development both in terms of Human Resources, Infrastructure to Quality of Learning in order to be competitive at the global level. All of these were done after Nutrition Undergraduate Study Program, which was established in 2002, managed to maintain its superior accreditation status which is valid until 2025.
As a pioneer in the undergraduate nutrition education program with 4 other universities, namely (Gadjah Mada University, Brawijaya University, Hasanuddin University and Esa Unggul University), Undip Nutrition Study Program in 2020 obtained an A accreditation with the Decree (Independent Accreditation Institute for Health Universities) LAM-PTKes Number 0489/LAM-PTKes/Akr/Sar/XI/
The Head of the Nutrition Science Study Program of Faculty of Medicine Undip, Dr. Diana Nur Afifah, S.TP., M.Si, in an interview session, on Thursday (19/8/2021) said that the focus of preparation for entering the global level was to improve the quality of human resources. “Not all lecturers have doctoral degrees. For this reason, we focus on encouraging further studies by lecturers both at home and abroad universities,” said Diana Nur Afifah.
It was revealed, Undip Nutrition Study Program has obtained A accreditation since 2016, and when an evaluation is carried out in 2020 the A or Superior accreditation status can be maintained. Therefore, it was then proclaimed to be able to achieve international accreditation.
Undip Nutrition Study Program was initiated in the Education Zone of Dr Kariadi Hospital Semarang, where one of the initiators was the late of Prof. Dr. dr. Satoto, SpGK. Prof. Satoto has a great desire for the presence of a complete nutrition study program, starting from undergraduate study program, professional nutrition education, Master in Nutrition, Doctoral Program, and vocational education program (diploma).
At that time, it began with several meetings of several nutrition experts and observers in the Semarang City area, finally Nutrition Education Study Program was formed with the Decree Number of Establishment of Study Programs: 1870/D/2002 and the date of the establishment decree was September 3rd 2002 which was signed by the Director General of Higher Education. Then its name changed to Nutrition Studies Program referring to the Decree of the Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia Number 257/M/KPT/2017 concerning Names of Study Programs in Higher Education.
Dr. Diana explained, the Accreditation of the Nutrition Undergraduate Study Program issued by Independent Accreditation Institute for Health Universities is carried out every 5 years and between 5 years there is surveillance. In 2010, it has B accreditation from National Accreditation Board for Higher Education. Since 2016 and finally in 2020 it has received an A accreditation based on LAM-PTKes Decree Number 0489/LAM-PTKes/Akr/Sar/XI/
For curriculum development, Undip Nutrition Study Program follows the National Higher Education Standards and Guidelines from Association of Indonesian Nutrition Higher Education Institutions. In every 5 years, a curriculum review is carried out starting with the implementation of workshops to curriculum workshops that invite not only lecturers, but also alumni, users, and stakeholders.
Being asked about the strategy to maintain accreditation and plans for international accreditation, she explained that even though this study program has already received the Superior (A) predicate with a score of 380, HR points needed to be improved. One of them is by increasing the number of lecturers with doctoral degrees and lecturers who have functional positions as Head Lecturer and Professor. Therefore, the focus on organizing and strengthening human resources is a priority program.
Another priority program that continues to be accelerated is preparing for the opening of the Dietisien Study Program (professional program). This program is to strengthen the competence of undergraduate program graduates so that they have the required competencies. To support this, various collaborations have been carried out, including partnering with hospitals in Semarang through the Semarang City Health Office and Central Java Province. Students in semester 7 can do practice there such as research activities and community service.
Cooperation with several universities abroad is also being carried out. At the research collaboration event for further study signed by Undip lecturers with lecturers from Kanazawa University Japan, Undip Rector, Prof. Dr. Yos Johan Utama, S.H., M.Hum was also present in person (photo). Other overseas universities that are partners with Undip Nutrition Study Program are the National University of Malaysia, and South Korea’s Gyeongsang National University.
In the community service program, Undip Nutrition Study Program collaborates with Bank BTPN for the Health of Retired Officer Cadre Program and several collaborations with industry. This activity is in line with efforts to realize the vision of a Reputable and Excellent Nutrition Study Program in the Field of Molecular-Based Nutrition at the National and International Levels in 2025. (PR team)
Translated by: Titis (Public Relations)