Malang – Amidst increasingly competitive higher education, the Building Engineering Education (PTB) Undergraduate Study Program at Universitas Negeri Malang (UM) continues to strengthen academic quality through scientific publications, international collaborations, and the development of students’ non-academic competencies. These steps represent PTB UM’s strategy to produce graduates who are adaptive, innovative, and ready to compete on a global level.
The Head of the PTB UM Study Program, Ir. Muhammad Aris Ichwanto, S.Pd., M.A., Ph.D., emphasized that student development is not only focused on academic graduation but also on building portfolios and professional competencies from the very first semester. Students are equipped with training, learning experiences, and international certifications to strengthen their competitiveness in the professional world.
“We are committed not only to graduating students but also to building their portfolios. We prove this through various encouragements for article publications and support for securing work protection through IPR (Intellectual Property Rights),” said Aris.
This commitment is realized through various strategic partnerships with both academic and industrial partners, nationally and internationally. PTB UM is known to have established collaborations with several universities in Malaysia through student exchange programs and cross-institutional thesis examinations.
This international collaboration is considered to have a significant impact on improving the quality of education and student academic achievements. PTB UM also consistently wins awards in various prestigious competitions in the field of Civil Engineering. Furthermore, the study program collaborates with national industries and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) in the preparation of textbooks for bricklaying and building flooring that meet industry standards.
“We are collaborating with national industry partners to create textbooks related to bricklaying and flooring for industrial and residential buildings,” Aris explained.
Interestingly, PTB UM is also the only study program within UM to have an E-Sports Club. This organization is prepared to participate in various international competitions as a form of support for the development of students’ interests and talents outside the academic field.
These various innovations and collaborations further emphasize PTB UM’s focus on partnership-based research and education development. According to Aris, synergy with various parties is a key factor in improving the quality of education to ensure it remains relevant to industrial needs and global developments.
Through these steps, PTB UM demonstrates its commitment to providing quality education that is not only academically superior but also capable of building student character, creativity, and comprehensive competence.
PTB UM’s efforts are also in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 regarding quality education and Goal 17 regarding partnerships for the goals. The expansion of scientific publications, strengthening of international collaborations, and development of non-academic competencies are seen as strategic steps in building progressive, inclusive, and globally competitive higher education.
Reporter: Silvia Manayatul Azizah – UM Public Relations Internship
Photographer: Abdul Aziz Tri Nugroho – UM Public Relations Internship
Editor: Muhammad Salmanudin Hafizh Shobirin – UM Public Relations