Wednesday, December 18, 2024 - Following its achievement of the "EXCELLENT" Accreditation rating and through the Learning Innovation Research Program as an Incentive for Achieving Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Private Universities initiated by the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology on November 1, 2024, Universitas Dian Nusantara (UNDIRA) successfully secured the grant for Learning Innovation Research as an Incentive for Achieving Private University KPI Excellence.

This grant not only serves as recognition from the Directorate General of Higher Education for UNDIRA’s achievements but also represents a reinforcement initiative in innovative learning aligned with Ministry of Education and Culture Regulation No. 53 of 2023, supported by advanced educational facilities.

Through this achievement, UNDIRA has received Smart Classroom equipment, enabling more effective and interactive hybrid learning for its students. The grant includes operational learning tools such as an Interactive Flat Panel (IFP), LED TV, microphones, headset microphones, and speakers. These tools aim to foster innovative learning processes, promoting more conducive and interactive collaboration between lecturers and students.

On December 16 and 17, 2024, Universitas Dian Nusantara conducted trials of the Smart Classroom implementation across the Faculty of Engineering and Informatics as well as the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, utilizing both online and offline modes. The trials ran smoothly, garnering positive feedback from the UNDIRA academic community.

The Rector of Universitas Dian Nusantara, Prof. Dr. H. Suharyadi, expressed his gratitude for the trust placed by the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology—Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (DIKTI)—in UNDIRA through the Learning Innovation Research Program. He highlighted the potential of the Smart Classroom grant to elevate the quality of education at Universitas Dian Nusantara.

“We are confident that this Smart Classroom grant will positively impact creating a more conducive and high-quality learning atmosphere. Leveraging this technology, Universitas Dian Nusantara is committed to continually improving learning standards, fostering innovation in teaching, and achieving the eight Key Performance Indicators, particularly in student satisfaction, learning relevance, and technological utilization,” said Prof. Dr. H. Suharyadi.

Vice Rector I, Mr. Margono Sugeng, M.Sc., also extended his gratitude to the Directorate General of Higher Education for supporting Universitas Dian Nusantara’s education system development through the Smart Classroom implementation. Compared to traditional hybrid or face-to-face classes, Smart Classrooms offer several advantages, including enhanced interactivity through various features of the Smart TV. These features enable interactive sessions between students and lecturers, allowing for audiovisual presentations of complex learning materials and encouraging dynamic discussions.

“The presence of Smart TV also allows students to present their projects directly, facilitating better and faster feedback from lecturers. This technology enhances digital skills, particularly in data processing,” explained Vice Rector I, Mr. Margono Sugeng, M.Sc.

Program leaders also praised this initiative. Anita Ratnasari, S.Kom., M.Kom., Head of the Informatics Engineering Program, noted that the facility enables the integration of advanced technology into the learning process, such as system simulations, data visualizations, and real-time interactive programming. These innovations make it easier for students to grasp complex concepts and prepare them for Industry 4.0 challenges.

Additionally, Dr. Novida Irawan, Head of the Communication Science Program, emphasized that the Smart Classroom grant would benefit communication programs with concentrations in Marketing Communication and Public Relations. It provides opportunities to improve learning quality and align with KPI 7, which focuses on collaborative and participatory classes, as demonstrated in the Newscaster and Announcer courses.

A lecturer from the Faculty of Engineering and Informatics, Boy Yuliadi, S.T., M.Kom., shared positive feedback on using the Smart Classroom in his classes. "This facility simplifies the teaching of complex subjects like programming, data visualization analysis, and computer networks in a more interactive and engaging manner. It also promotes more effective collaboration between lecturers and students, creating a learning experience that aligns with the needs of the digital era," he remarked.

The implementation of the Smart Classroom is a realization of DIKTI’s trust and transforms teaching methods to be more adaptive to the advancements of Society 4.0. It is hoped that the Smart Classroom will further enhance the learning effectiveness at Universitas Dian Nusantara.