The Faculty of Education (FIP) of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) conducted a benchmarking visit to the Graduate School of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (SPs UNY) on Wednesday, August 12, at the UNY Teleconference Room. The visit was part of preparations for establishing a Doctoral Program (S3) in Pedagogy.

The visit aimed to provide the FIP UPI delegation with a comprehensive understanding of doctoral program management while exploring best practices and enriching the process of developing the curriculum and governance framework for a doctoral program at SPs UNY.

The delegation from the Master’s Program in Pedagogy at FIP UPI was led by its Program Coordinator, Dr. Eviana Hikamudin, S.Pd., M.M., accompanied by seven other members: Dr. Babang Robandi, M.Pd.; Dr. Pupun Nuryani, M.Pd.; Dr. Aryanti, M.Pd.; Dr. Dian Peniasiani, M.Ed.; Dr. Rusdiono Muryanto, M.T.; Dr. Budi Hermawan, M.Phil.; and Dedi Sutisna, M.Pd., representing the educational staff.

The FIP UPI delegation was welcomed by the SPs UNY Vice Director for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Research, and Cooperation; the Coordinator of the Doctoral Program in Educational Sciences; the Head of Administration; the Secretary of Administration; the Coordinator of the International Affairs and Cooperation Unit (UUIK); and the SPs UNY UUIK team.

During the meeting, both institutions discussed various strategic aspects of doctoral program development and management. Topics included curriculum design and development, the structure and characteristics of doctoral programs, academic governance, resource management, and educational delivery mechanisms that support the achievement of graduate competencies.

The benchmarking visit also focused on identifying best practices that could serve as references for FIP UPI in preparing to establish its Doctoral Program in Pedagogy. SPs UNY’s experience in managing doctoral programs was expected to offer new perspectives and enrich the design of a program that responds to developments in pedagogical scholarship and the future needs of education.

The benchmarking activity took place in an open and constructive atmosphere. Both parties shared experiences, ideas, and challenges related to doctoral program development. As a result, the visit served not only as a forum for exchanging information but also as an opportunity to build a shared understanding of quality doctoral education.

Through this activity, FIP UPI is expected to gain more comprehensive references for developing the curriculum and designing the governance framework for its Doctoral Program in Pedagogy. For SPs UNY, the visit also represented an opportunity to strengthen academic networks and collaboration among higher education institutions, particularly in the fields of education and pedagogical scholarship.

To conclude the visit, FIP UPI and SPs UNY signed a cooperation agreement. The signing demonstrated both institutions’ commitment to strengthening institutional relations and opening up opportunities for collaboration in education, research, community service, and human resource development. (LS)