Yogyakarta, August 8, 2023 - In a captivating discussion centered around educational innovation, Associate Professor Rajesh Piplani from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, shed light on curriculum redesign at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. The session, which took place from 08:00 to 10:00, provided valuable insights into the strategies and approaches employed by NTU to enhance its academic programs.

The event commenced with an introduction by the moderator, familiarizing the audience with the Faculty of Science and Technology and its ongoing curriculum enhancement initiatives. Addressing a diverse gathering of academicians and scholars, the discussion aimed to explore effective methods of curriculum development and adaptation.

Associate Professor Rajesh Piplani's presence was warmly acknowledged by the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at UIN Sunan Kalijaga. The Vice Dean expressed gratitude for Professor Rajesh's participation and eagerness to contribute to the event, which signifies the dedication to fostering collaborative learning environments.

During his presentation, Assoc. Prof. Rajesh Piplani delved into key aspects of curriculum refinement at NTU. He shared insights into the structure of final assessments, highlighting that NTU's bachelor degree students generally complete their final assignments within two semesters, driven by the incentive to finalize their studies and avoid further tuition fees. However, the university extends support to students encountering challenges, offering options like two-semester extensions or summer classes to facilitate timely graduation. The culmination of studies involves a comprehensive final project report and a seminar-style examination evaluated by two examiners.

The discourse also touched upon the Master of Science in Supply Chain Engineering program, encompassing both coursework and research tracks. The program's standard duration is two years or four semesters, though some exceptional students complete it in 1.5 years. Notably, there are no fast-track routes for undergraduates to directly enter the master's program, aside from the master-to-Ph.D. pathway. Prof. Rajesh emphasized that the inception of Ph.D. research topics often originates from advisors, especially for students from industrial backgrounds.

Associate Prof. Rajesh Piplani shed light on the dynamic roles of professors at NTU, elucidating variations based on teaching and research responsibilities. Administrative roles, like that of Prof. Rajesh, were also discussed. NTU's compensation structure for professors is tied to the number of teaching hours undertaken.

Another pivotal subject was the accreditation process, with each school within NTU possessing an accreditation board responsible for curriculum oversight. These boards, comprising 4-9 members, conduct accreditation every five years, aligning with US standards as benchmarks.

Internships emerged as a crucial component of undergraduate education at NTU. While not for academic credit, internships span a full semester and are mandatory. Notably, students are precluded from enrolling in on-campus courses during their internship. Companies propose internship opportunities to the university, allowing students to choose placements that align with their interests and goals. The emphasis lies on meaningful experiential learning rather than mundane tasks.

In closing, Assoc. Prof. Rajesh Piplani discussed exchange programs, highlighting NTU's limited scholarship opportunities for international students. However, undergraduate student exchanges are available, requiring participants to undertake standard NTU admission tests. Opportunities for collaboration span person-to-person, institution-to-professor, and country-to-country, reflecting NTU's commitment to fostering global academic connections.