SEMARANG – In responding to the COVID-19 pandemic that affected all aspects of life, Diponegoro University (Undip) implemented a policy based on concern for affected students, including providing relief and ease in UKT (Tuition). As of the third week of July 2020, 2,750 student tuition have been reduced.
Undip Rector, Prof. Dr. Yos Johan Utama SH MH, revealed that news when delivering a speech at Undip’s 159th Graduation Ceremony, Monday (7/27/2020) which was conducted online and broadcasted live on Undip TV YouTube Channel and on Radio Pro Alma 97.7 FM. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, Undip has implemented policies based on concern for affected students, however, everything was done selectively,” said Prof. Yos.
As a State University with Legal Entity (PTN BH) which requires to be independent, Undip’s attitude and policies remain focused on its students. In addition to freeing UKT, there is also a direct policy in the form of giving a 50% discount for students whom in its semester 7 and 9.
Other forms of policy are to provide easy payments for UKT by payments in installments, postponement of UKT payments, provision of basic necessities, cash assistance and paid work internships to students in need. The provision of basic necessities is not only from the university budget, but also collected from the support of lecturers and education personnel who spare some of their income to help students who are facing difficulties due to the corona outbreak. Undip alumni and partners also provides assistance to students directly.
All of this was done as a form of Undip’s concern and commitment to students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic which also accelerated cultural change and revolution. Yos Johan said that the communication culture revolution has also penetrated the world of education. “The penetration of Ruang Guru website, online shopping and online doctors has greatly broken the culture space of learning and shopping for Indonesians,” he said.
Facing this phenomenon, universities must aware of the symptoms of lecture patterns that will very quickly shift to cyberspace or online. The shift, he admitted, is very likely to affect the income earned from students. It cannot be predicted whether the change will make the university’s income from students drop dramatically, or vice versa.
Therefore, he invites all parties to understand the uncertainty and all the changes that exist by developing futuristic management change. Which can calculate the risk of management if what is predicted actually happen.
