International Accreditation: Faculty of Humanities Holds Online Conference with FIBAA

HUMANIORA – (September 3, 2024) The Faculty of Humanities at UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang remains committed to enhancing the quality of education by pursuing international accreditation. A concrete step taken in this direction is the virtual visitation by the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA), a Germany-based international accreditation body. This visitation is scheduled to take place over three days, from Tuesday to Thursday, September 3–5, 2024.

The visitation targets two programs within the Faculty of Humanities: the Bachelor’s programs in Arabic Language and Literature (BSA) and English Literature. The goal is to ensure that both programs meet international standards across various educational aspects, from curriculum to student support.

The series of activities commenced on the first day (September 3) with a panel interview involving the program management. The main topics discussed during this session included the objectives and positioning of the programs in relation to the labor market and education, internationalization, curriculum, teaching and learning, as well as student and program administration support. The focus of the discussion was on how the respective programs adapt to global market demands and ensure that their graduates are internationally competitive.

This visitation is part of the Faculty of Humanities' broader effort to promote the internationalization of its programs. To date, the Faculty of Humanities already has one program, the Arabic Language and Literature program, that has achieved international certification from AUN-QA. With the FIBAA visitation, it is hoped that both the Arabic Language and Literature program and the English Literature program will also meet the stringent international standards and gain global recognition.

The Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Dr. M. Faisol, emphasized the importance of international accreditation as a form of recognition for the quality of education provided by the Faculty of Humanities. "This accreditation reflects the quality of education at the Faculty of Humanities that already meets international standards. This is, of course, a result of our collective hard work to continuously improve the quality of education at the Faculty of Humanities," he stated.

Dr. M. Faisol further added that the Faculty of Humanities will continue its commitment to enhancing educational quality, including through the process of international accreditation. "We will consistently support the international accreditation of each program, ensuring that graduates of the Faculty of Humanities are recognized and valued on a global stage," he concluded.

According to the visitation schedule, the second day (September 4) will involve interviews with faculty members from both programs, focusing on student involvement in content and teaching methods, as well as internal and external collaborations conducted by the programs.

In addition, there will be a panel interview with students and alumni to evaluate the study structure and processes, student consultation and support, as well as internship opportunities and study abroad requirements. This is crucial to ensuring that the learning experience offered by the Faculty of Humanities truly supports the development of students' competencies and qualifications.

On the final day (September 5), FIBAA is scheduled to hold a panel interview with administrative staff to discuss topics related to program organization, career consultation, alumni activities, and issues related to internationalization and quality management. The activities will conclude with brief feedback from the FIBAA panel to the leadership of the Faculty of Humanities, summarizing their impressions and outlining the steps the faculty needs to take next to achieve international accreditation.

The visitation by FIBAA not only focuses on academic aspects but also includes a detailed evaluation of the curriculum, facilities, and human resources. It is hoped that once all criteria are met, FIBAA will grant recognition that these two programs deserve international accreditation, further strengthening the Faculty of Humanities' position as a globally recognized educational institution. [al]