BANDUNG, UNIKOM – The commitment of the Universitas Komputer Indonesia (UNIKOM) to fostering faculty members who are adaptable, innovative, and capable of addressing the challenges of higher education continues to bear fruit. One of the faculty members from UNIKOM Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science (FTIK), Agus Mulyana, S.T., M.T., has successfully been selected for the 2026 Inspiring Lecturer Program (ILP) organized by Paragon Corp 2026 a national-level faculty capacity-building program with a highly competitive selection process. The program focuses on intensive training, research proposal drafting, and subsidies for scientific publications. Through this program, participants gain enhanced competencies in teaching and developing impactful research strategies, access to research grants and support for publication in international journals, as well as opportunities to build national collaborative networks with academics from Sabang to Merauke.
With thousands of faculty members from various universities across Indonesia participating, the selection process for this program was conducted in multiple stages, evaluating participants’ track records in teaching, research, community service, and their vision for academic development following the program. In an interview, Agus Mulyana, S.T., M.T., stated, “The selection process was quite rigorous. The evaluation focused not only on teaching experience but also on research track records, community service, and plans for contributions to be made after completing the program,” explained Agus.
Since June 2026, participants have been taking part in a series of boot camps, mentoring sessions, coaching, and various assignments designed to strengthen faculty members’ capacity to carry out the Tri Dharma of Higher Education in a manner more relevant to the needs of the times. According to Agus, one of the most valuable lessons in the program is how faculty members must be able to adapt to the characteristics of today’s generation. It is no longer enough for a faculty member to simply master course material; they must also be able to instill enthusiasm, positive energy, and an understanding of the ever-changing world so that the learning process becomes more meaningful.
In the field of research, participants are guided to develop a research roadmap that goes beyond mere publications or administrative reports, but rather produces solutions that can be applied by both the community and industry. The research approach is also designed to be multidisciplinary and collaborative so that it can address various real-world problems. Meanwhile, regarding community service, the ILP instills a new paradigm: that service must be built as a long-term partnership capable of creating sustainable change, rather than merely fulfilling administrative obligations.
The Inspiring Lecturer Program will run through the end of 2026 and will include several rounds of further selection. From among thousands of participants, a select group of top faculty members will be chosen to join a collaborative project involving universities across Indonesia to develop various innovative solutions for society and industry. For Agus, this opportunity is not only a personal achievement but also carries the responsibility to bring about change within the UNIKOM community. “I want to build a Tri Dharma ecosystem that has a clear vision, is fully integrated, and truly makes an impact. Teaching must be more closely aligned with the industrial world, research must produce tangible solutions, and community service must be a process of sustainable empowerment,” he explained.
He believes that learning models in higher education must continue to transform so they are no longer dominated by conventional, theory-based approaches alone. Collaboration with the industrial sector is key to preparing graduates capable of navigating the dynamics of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the accelerating pace of technological development. In addition, Agus also encouraged the creation of a more vibrant research ecosystem at UNIKOM through the strengthening of research groups, laboratories, and interdisciplinary collaboration. According to him, a culture of sustained research will foster innovations capable of making tangible contributions to society, industry, and national development.
Furthermore, he expressed hope that all activities related to the Tri Dharma at the university would proceed in harmony. The material taught in class, the research conducted, and community service must be interconnected so that they can produce a greater impact. “Faculty members must be agents of change. Education is not just about conveying theory, but also about inspiring students, broadening their horizons for the future, and preparing them to face real-world challenges. What I want to build is a healthy, vibrant, mutually supportive, and impactful ecosystem,” he said.
The participation of UNIKOM faculty members in the Inspiring Lecturer Program is tangible evidence of UNIKOM commitment to improving the quality of human resources by strengthening faculty competencies. In line with its vision as a Digital Entrepreneurial University, UNIKOM continues to foster the development of educators who are innovative, collaborative, and capable of producing education, research, and community service that provide broad benefits to society, the industrial sector, and the nation’s progress. (Directorate of Hms & Pro)