UNDIP, Semarang (19/7) – The governance practices of Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) have become a reference for various stakeholders in higher education. This time, UNDIP welcomed delegations from the Tabalong Regency Government and Universitas Lambung Mangkurat (ULM). They were received by the UNDIP Rector in the Rector’s Meeting Room, Widya Puraya Building, 2nd Floor, UNDIP Tembalang Campus.
The Tabalong Regency Government of South Kalimantan visited UNDIP to strengthen synergy in improving the quality of education, human resources, and regional development. This commitment was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Implementation of the Three Pillars of Higher Education (Tridharma Perguruan Tinggi) and Joint Resource Development on Friday, July 17, 2026.
The visit was also combined with a benchmarking session by Universitas Lambung Mangkurat (ULM) on the management of Study Programs Outside the Main Campus (Program Studi di Luar Kampus Utama / PSDKU), which has been one of the best practices developed by UNDIP.
UNDIP Rector, Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., warmly welcomed this cross-sector collaboration. In his view, expanding access to quality higher education across different regions is one of the most effective instruments for breaking the cycle of poverty and accelerating improvements in the Human Development Index (HDI).
“UNDIP is very open to sharing all of its practical experience in managing campuses outside the main campus with partner educational institutions,” he said.
Each region has different potential, needs, and challenges. Therefore, cooperation programs need to be designed in a measurable way and tailored to the characteristics of Tabalong Regency. The collaboration is expected to focus not only on education but also on research, community service, and human resource capacity building.
“We hope geographical distance will no longer be an obstacle for young talents in the regions to access quality academic education that meets global standards,” Prof. Suharnomo said.
Head of the Tabalong Regency Education and Culture Office, Gusti Judid Ihsan Permana, S.STP., M.IP., representing the Regent of Tabalong, said that the need for access to higher education in the region is urgent. Tabalong Regency holds a strategic position as it directly borders three provinces. However, the considerable distance to higher education centers in Banjarmasin and East Kalimantan remains a challenge for residents seeking to pursue higher education.
“The Tabalong Regency Government continues to expand access to higher education through the Thousand Graduates Program (Program Seribu Sarjana) and various scholarship initiatives, particularly for high-achieving students from underprivileged families. Collaboration with UNDIP is expected to broaden educational opportunities while producing competent young people who are ready to contribute to regional development,” he said.
Meanwhile, Vice Rector IV for Cooperation, Public Relations, and Information Systems at ULM, Dr. Ir. Yusuf Azis, M.Sc., representing the Rector of Universitas Lambung Mangkurat, expressed his appreciation for UNDIP’s openness in sharing its experience in managing PSDKU. He said that UNDIP’s governance model, including through the Management Board for Campuses Outside the Main Campus (Badan Pengelola Kampus di Luar Kampus Utama / BPK2U), provides an important reference for developing similar campuses in South Kalimantan.
He added that UNDIP’s use of integrated information systems and resource optimization has inspired ULM to develop adaptive and sustainable educational innovations. The visit also served as a learning opportunity to strengthen governance, study program development, and academic services at campuses outside the main campus that ULM is currently developing.
Sharing Best Practices in PSDKU Management
The activity continued with a session on best practices in managing Study Programs Outside the Main Campus (PSDKU). The ULM delegation learned from UNDIP’s experience in managing institutional governance, academic affairs, student affairs, quality assurance, human resources, assets, learning facilities, and programs supporting campus sustainability.
Through the Management Board for Campuses Outside the Main Campus (BPK2U), UNDIP currently manages PSDKUs in Pekalongan, Batang, and Rembang Regencies. The presence of these campuses is part of UNDIP’s efforts to expand public access to quality higher education while promoting human resource development and regional development. Management is carried out through a clear division of responsibilities, with BPK2U overseeing non-academic affairs. At the same time, faculties or schools are responsible for implementing the Tridharma of Higher Education, student admissions, accreditation, and quality assurance.
The meeting reaffirmed that developing a PSDKU involves more than constructing facilities or establishing study programs. It also requires academic readiness, qualified teaching staff, learning facilities, adequate funding, and educational quality equivalent to that of the main campus. Through collaboration among universities and local governments, UNDIP is not only strengthening interregional partnerships but also reaffirming its role as a reference center for the development of inclusive and sustainable higher education. (Public Communication/UNDIP/DHW)
