[Unpad.ac.id, 27/01/2016] Universitas Kuningan (Uniku) will be the private university supported by West Java Provincial Government, Kuningan District Government, and Universitas Padjadjaran to become one of the state universities (PTN) in West Java that represents Cirebon, Indramayu, Majalengka and Kuningan (Ciayumajakuning ). This support is given through academic quality strengthening , not only to support the establishment of State University in Ciayumajakuning, but also to encourage the strengthening of UNiku for for Ciayumajakuning regional development.
Rector, Universitas Padjadjaran, Prof. Tri Hanggono Achmad said the above during the visit to Uniku campus in Kuningan recently. The visit was welcomed by Rector Uniku Dr. Iskandar, MM., Along with Vice Chancellor and senior Education Foundation of Sang Adipati as the Uniku organizer in Meeting Room Rectorate Building Uniku campus.
This visit was attended by Regent of Kuningan Utje Ch. Hamid Suganda, Regional Secretary for Kab. Kuningan Drs. Yosep Setiawan, M.Si., and few of local regional staff leader from Kuningan. Meanwhile Unpad delegation were Vice Rector fro Academic and Students Affairs Unpad Dr. Arry Bainus, M.A., Director of Partnership Unpad Parikesit, M.Sc., PhD., Rector Special Staff Budhi Gunawan, MA., PhD., and the Uniku development team from Unpad, Prof. Dr.Engkus Kuswarno, M.S., Prof. Dr. Ir. Roni Kastaman, M.SIE., Prof. Dr. Samun Jaja Rahardja, M.Si., Prof. Dr. Ir. Elin Harlia, M.S., and Prof. Dr. Ir. Junianto, M.P.
According to Rector, the strengthening academic quality of Uniku is one way to minimize the pattern of education urbanization in West Java. Since most of Universities are concentrated in big cities, many students migrate to study. This resulted in an increase in population density in big cities.
Therefore, strengthening academic quality of Uniku is Unpad’s implementation in developing non-concentrated educational pattern. “This can overcome problems in big cities, and the development could be a driving force for regional development,” said Rector.
The motivation to transform Uniku as State University, said Rector, is the hope and plan Governor of West Java, Ir. Ahmad Heryawan. In the plan, Unpad will encourage development of universities representing 5 regional areas in West Java, the region Ciayumajakuning, East Priangan (Garut, Tasik, Ciamis, Banjar, Pangandaran), Bandung Raya, Bopuncur (Bogor, Puncak, Cianjur), and Purwasukab (Purwakarta, Subang, Karawang, Bekasi).
“In every region there should be a minimum of a university with Unpad’s standard,” added Rector.
Rector added that Uniku that is now well-managed by the Sang Adipati Foundation Kuningan, should be encouraged to transform better so that people have an alternative when choosing higher education in West Java.
During the meeting the potential for partnership between educational developments Uniku with Unpad was also discussed. According to Prof. Engkus, human resource development becomes one of Uniku development agenda by Unpad. Currently, Uniku has more than 4,700 students and faculty members total of 151 people. The increasing institutional accreditation has also become the focus of development Uniku.
“We want to be Unpad’s junior partner so that gradually Uniku can transform into a stronger institution,” said Rector Uniku.
Regent of Kuningan, Utje Hamid, also appreciates strengthening of academic quality of Universitas Kuningan and hopes that Uniku could be a state university. This is relevant to the development plan of Kuningan as Education City. “We’re ready. This is one of the efforts to support the improvement of education in Kuningan,” said Utje. *
Reported by Arief Maulana / eh
