On March 11, 2025, the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) received a benchmarking visit from representatives of the Family and Consumer Sciences (IKK) Study Program at Bogor Agricultural University (IPB). The visit, held at Building A of the Health Sciences Cluster (RIK) UI, aimed to gain deeper insights into the international accreditation process through the Agency for Accreditation of Study Programs in Health and Social Sciences (AHPGS).
AHPGS is an accreditation agency from Germany based in Freiburg, registered with the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR), and a member of various higher education quality assurance networks. The Bachelor of Public Health, Master of Public Health, and Master of Hospital Administration Studies programs at FPH UI have received international accreditation from AHPGS, valid until September 30, 2028. This accreditation offers various benefits for students, faculty, and the university, such as expanding international collaboration, supporting staff and student mobility, and enhancing graduates’ competitiveness in the global job market.
The Quality Assurance Manager of FPH UI, Prof. Dr. Besral, S.K.M., M.Sc., in his opening remarks, emphasized that international accreditation is a strategic step to enhance institutional competitiveness and ensure graduates possess globally recognized competencies. “At FPH UI, we are ready to share our experiences and support other study programs in achieving international standards because high academic quality significantly impacts scientific development and graduate professionalism,” said Prof. Besral. Similarly, Dr. Tin Herawati, S.P., M.Si., representing IKK IPB, expressed hope that this benchmarking visit would provide comprehensive insights into preparing accreditation documents. “We greatly appreciate this opportunity to learn from FPH UI. With the guidance and experiences shared, we hope IKK IPB will be better prepared for the AHPGS accreditation process,” said Dr. Tin.
During the benchmarking session, Prof. Besral explained various aspects of international accreditation, including the guidelines and forms used, as well as the support provided by the Academic Quality Assurance Unit (UPMA) and the faculty for study programs undergoing accreditation, both in terms of human resources and funding. “International accreditation is not just about meeting standards but also about improving overall education quality,” he stated. Additionally, regular monitoring and evaluation in document preparation were highlighted as key discussion points.
According to him, in the international accreditation process, intensive contact with the AHPGS secretariat is a crucial initial step. A timeline should be established early on, covering all phases from document preparation to site visits. Submission of documents to AHPGS must follow the schedule to avoid delays. Since AHPGS does not have a dedicated electronic system, document submission is done simply via email, with opportunities for revision during the assessor’s review sessions. Moreover, each study program must carefully prepare the necessary data to ensure complete document submission. AHPGS registration also requires various documents, including an executive summary providing an overview of the institution and the study program.
For site visit preparation, forming a dedicated accreditation team is a strategic step, including appointing a liaison officer (LO) and coordinating with relevant units at both the university and faculty levels. Infrastructure readiness must also be considered to ensure a smooth visit process. “Unlike other accreditations, AHPGS does not issue a visit report but instead compiles an expert report, which is published three months after the site visit. The accreditation certificate is then issued approximately six months after the visit,” explained Prof. Besral.
Dr. Zakianis, S.K.M., M.K.M., also presented strategies for writing the Self-Evaluation Report (SER) for AHPGS accreditation. One key aspect emphasized was the modularization of the study program and exam system. This includes course structure, the number of courses, syllabi, allocated learning time inside and outside campus, and the study program’s implemented learning modules. “We stress the importance of curriculum flexibility to align with industry needs and scientific advancements,” said Dr. Zakianis. FPH UI also applies various teaching methods outlined in the SER, such as lectures, seminars, projects, practical sessions, and group assignments, which are detailed using tables and graphs.
The integration of research and internships with courses is also a crucial aspect, covering regulations, allocated credit hours, monitoring and evaluation systems, and implementation schedules. “Internship experiences must align with courses to maximize student benefits,” added Dr. Zakianis.
Besides SER preparation strategies, program transparency was also a major focus. Documentation and publication of study program information should be accessible to the public and students, for example, through faculty or university websites. During the accreditation process, FPH UI detailed the university’s online platforms, such as EMAS and SIAKNG, which include student modules and grades, and the faculty website fph.ui.ac.id, which contains all information about FPH UI. “The academic community and the public must be able to access academic information easily to enhance transparency in our education system,” stated Dr. Zakianis.
SER preparation is carried out by an assigned team and made available on the AHPGS website. Once completed, an internal assessment, proofreading, and document submission via email are conducted. AHPGS assessors then review the SER by verifying data, usually two to three times via email if there are discrepancies among study programs. “FPH UI always ensures that the information in the SER is accurate and meets AHPGS standards,” said Dr. Zakianis.
This benchmarking visit is expected to provide valuable insights for the IKK IPB Study Program in preparing for AHPGS accreditation. Meanwhile, FPH UI continues to share experiences and support other study programs in achieving international accreditation standards to improve the quality of higher education in Indonesia.
Also present at the event were representatives from FPH UI, including Dr. Budi Hartono, S.Si., M.K.M., and Prof. Dr. Robiana Modjo, S.K.M., M.Kes. Meanwhile, the eight delegates from IKK IPB participating in the benchmarking visit included Risda Rizkillah, S.Si., M.Si.; Susri Adeni, S.Sos., M.A.; Muhamad Renaldi, S.Kom., MTCNA; Sri Sulastri, S.Si.; Neti Hernawati, S.P., M.Si.; Dr. Defina, S.S., M.Si.; Dr. Yulina Eva Riany, S.P., M.Ed.; and Saryani Jaya Kusumah, S.P., M.Si. (wrk/DFD)