BANDUNG, UNIKOM — Sharing experiences and strengthening academic networks are crucial to the development of higher education in the era of digital transformation. This was reflected in a benchmarking by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) of Universitas Lambung Mangkurat (ULM), South Kalimantan, to the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science (FTIK) of Universitas Komputer Indonesia (UNIKOM) on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Held in the FTIK Meeting Room on the 7th floor of the UNIKOM Smart Building, the event specifically discussed plans to establish and develop the Undergraduate Information Systems Study Program at ULM, while also exploring opportunities for collaboration between UNIKOM and ULM.
Also in attendance were members of the FMIPA ULM delegation, including Prof. Sunardi, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Dean of FMIPA ULM), Irwan Budiman, S.T., M.Kom. (Head of UPA TIK ULM ), Dwi Kartini, S.Kom., M.Kom. (Head of the Computer Science Department of FMIPA ULM ), Fatma Indriani, S.T., M.I.T., Ph.D. (Secretary of the Computer Science Department of FMIPA ULM), and Dodon T. Nugrahadi, S.Kom., M.Eng. (Lecturer in the Computer Science Department of FMIPA ULM). Meanwhile, representatives from FTIK UNIKOM included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ir. Herman Soegoto, MBA. (Vice Rector III for Research, Innovation, and Accreditation and Dean of FTIK UNIKOM), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wartika, S.Kom., M.T. (Head of the Information Systems Study Program), Rangga Sidik, S.Kom., M.Kom., Bella Hardiyana, S.Kom., M.Kom., Ph.D. (Head of the Informatics Management and Digital Business Study Program ), and Dr. Henike Primawanti, M.I.Pol. (Head of the Cooperation Division).
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ir. Herman Soegoto, MBA., expressed his appreciation for the visit by FMIPA ULM to UNIKOM. “We are pleased that UNIKOM is one of the universities visited by ULM. On this occasion, we can discuss and share our knowledge, as well as the experiences shared by our colleagues from ULM,” he said. He also explained that one of the main focuses of the visit was ULM’s plan to establish an Undergraduate Information Systems Study Program.
The Dean of FMIPA ULM, Prof. Sunardi, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., explained that the visit to UNIKOM was part of ULM’s efforts to initiate collaboration in various fields, including academics and research and human resource development. “Our main goal in visiting UNIKOM was to initiate collaboration in academics, research, and human resource development. We also discussed extensively the development of study programs, particularly the Undergraduate Information Systems Program,” he said.
Prof. Sunardi noted that UNIKOM has relevant experience that can serve as a reference for developing the Undergraduate Information Systems Program at ULM. Therefore, the visit was also intended to provide an opportunity to learn about UNIKOM’s efforts in developing its Information Systems Study Program. “We see that UNIKOM has a very advanced Information Systems Study Program. In this regard, we want to learn how to develop the Information Systems Study Program at ULM,” he explained.
Furthermore, Prof. Sunardi highlighted UNIKOM’s relevant experience and position in the fields of engineering and computer science. “We see UNIKOM as one of the leading private universities in engineering and computer science. That’s one of the main reasons we came here to learn and conduct benchmarking,” said Prof. Sunardi.
Several collaborative plans were also discussed between ULM and UNIKOM. One of these involved encouraging ULM lecturers to pursue doctoral studies, particularly in Information Systems. “First, we will encourage our lecturers to pursue doctoral studies, particularly in Information Systems. Furthermore, we hope to collaborate academically through lecturer exchanges or guest lecturers, as well as through research collaboration,” he explained.
The event continued with an interactive discussion, which not only provided a forum for exchanging information on the development of the Information Systems Study Program but also opened discussions on potential academic and research collaborations. Lecturer exchanges, guest lectures, joint research, and opportunities for further study for ULM lecturers were among the collaborative opportunities that could be further developed by both institutions.
The visit concluded with a documentation session and souvenir exchange between FTIK UNIKOM and FMIPA ULM as symbols of appreciation and the strong relationship between the two institutions.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Herman, during the discussion, ULM explored information about the development of the Information Systems Study Program at UNIKOM, from its establishment process to aspects that differentiate it from other study programs, such as Informatics, Informatics Engineering, and Computer Engineering. Furthermore, ULM explored the characteristics and distinctive features of the Information Systems Study Program at UNIKOM.
In addition to discussing aspects of study program development, the discussion also focused on potential future collaboration opportunities between the two universities. One of the opportunities identified was human resource development through further study for ULM lecturers. “In the future, there is a possibility that lecturers from ULM can pursue doctoral studies in Information Systems at UNIKOM. This can certainly be part of the effort to strengthen the Information Systems Study Program planned to be established by ULM,” added Assoc. Prof. Dr. Herman.
At the end of the discussion, he expressed his hope for continued collaboration. “Hopefully, today’s discussion can foster broader collaboration in the future. I think this is very good for the development of education in Indonesia,” he concluded.
The activity concluded with a visit by the ULM delegation to the UNIKOM x Google AI Learning Center Lab, located in the lobby of the UNIKOM Smart Building. The visit served as an introduction to UNIKOM’s artificial intelligence-based learning and technology development facilities, while also complementing the benchmarking and knowledge-sharing activities conducted during the event.
Through ULM’s visit to UNIKOM, the two institutions demonstrated their commitment to building institutional relationships that go beyond benchmarking activities and can develop into sustainable collaboration. Knowledge exchange, human resource development, academic collaboration, and research are among the potential areas of collaboration that can be jointly developed to support the improvement of the quality of higher education in Indonesia. (Directorate of Hms & Pro)
