Pelita Bangsa University (UPB) is a new university formed from the merger of the School of Economics (STIE) and the School of Engineering (STT) located in Bekasi, West Java.
On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, UPB, led by Hamzah M. Mardi Putra, S.K.M., M.M., D.B.A. as Rector of Pelita Bangsa University and Dr. Ir. Supriyanto, M.P. (Vice Rector I) and M. Hatta Fahamsyah.,S.Sy.,M.Sc., C.S.A. (Vice Rector II) along with 34 structural leaders visited Widyatama University, one of the best private campuses in Bandung that has been accredited as “Excellent”, to establish partnerships and conduct comparative studies.
Warmly welcomed by the leaders of Widyatama University, the UPB delegation was received directly by Prof. Dr. H. Dadang Suganda, M.Hum., Rector of Widyatama University, accompanied by Dr. Diana Sari, S.E., M.Si., Ak., Q.I.A., C.A., ACPA. The Vice Rector for Operations, along with the Dean, Heads of Offices, Heads of Centers, and their staff.
The collaboration takes the form of developing the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka Program, and Community Service as a form of implementing campus autonomy and fulfilling the Key Performance Indicators (IKU) of Higher Education. Widyatama University provides an overview of the processes involved in managing this accredited campus, including human resources management, academics, human resources, cooperation and public relations, libraries, a two-day lecture system, and much more. As is known, Widyatama University has been implementing ISO since 2003, starting with ISO 9001:2000, 9001:2008, and has now upgraded to ISO 9001:2015.
Uning Kuraesin, Dra., M.Pd. (University Secretary) explaining the process of managing Partnerships and Public Relations at Widyatama University
Prof. Dr. H. Dadang Suganda, M.Hum., Rector of Widyatama University, said that performance in the Tri Dharma, both nationally and internationally, is the most important aspect of a university.
“Nowadays, the value of student and lecturer exchanges in IKU is very urgent because the reports are quarterly and viewed from the frequency, number, competence, and contribution. Therefore, tridharma partnership is important,” said Prof. Dadang.
Prof. Dr. H. Dadang Suganda, M.Hum. during his speech
Pragmatically speaking, in everyday life, every university has its own strengths and weaknesses, so this comparative study allows them to learn and complement each other.
With this comparative study, it is hoped that universities can improve their shortcomings and learn about each other’s identities, profiles, and characteristics. Knowing these things will certainly become material for introspection.
“Perhaps we can get a lot of inspiration from Pelita Bangsa, and there are also notes and our performance that can be an inspiration for Pelita Bangsa. With this comparative study, we can certainly gain additional intelligence in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitude,” added Prof. Dadang.
UPB Rector Hamzah said that times have changed, universities used to compete with each other, but now they collaborate and cooperate in learning, innovation, research, and community service.
Hamzah M. Mardi Putra, S.K.M., M.M., D.B.A. during his speech
“At this moment, Widyatama University and Pelita Bangsa University can collaborate and work together with the hope of improving the quality of higher education and jointly educating the nation. One of our goals in visiting Widyatama University is to learn, as Widyatama University has been accredited as Excellent and many of its study programs have been accredited with an A. This is our hope as a new university learning to build an Excellent university,” said Hamzah.
