Semarang, 1 November 2024 — The Department of Physics at Universitas Diponegoro, together with the Physics Student Association (HMF), held “Academic Dialogue 2024” as a forum for students and department leadership to meet and share aspirations. This annual program by HMF’s Student Welfare Division serves as a two-way communication bridge so academic issues are captured and followed up systematically.
Before the forum, HMF gathered input through two channels: *sowan angkatan* (visits to each cohort’s WhatsApp group) and a Google Form survey. This approach ensured every voice was properly documented, then presented in a joint forum with lecturers and department leaders. Discussions with students across all cohorts created a warm, well-guided dialogue space, while the Google Form made it easier to process the feedback in a structured way.
Four main themes emerged: the Merdeka Belajar–Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program, the conduct of lectures, research/interest groups (*Kelompok Bidang Keahlian* or KBK), and administration. In the teaching and learning domain, students highlighted the need to update the teaching–learning evaluation questionnaire (PBM), enforce punctuality, improve coordination of content when a course is taught by multiple lecturers, enhance grading transparency, and standardize academic service SOPs. For the KBK scheme, the key issue was limited quotas in certain groups. On the administrative side, students noted lengthy service processes and uneven dissemination of information on internships and final-project data collection.
The department outlined a series of responsive measures. For MBKM, it reaffirmed the program’s roles and limits at the study-program level in line with university regulations, while forming a conversion team to help map relevant courses. The department also opened space for technical assistance and coordination with the university-level MBKM coordinator to streamline approvals, while emphasizing student accountability and performance.
Responding to PBM feedback, the department will forward proposals to the faculty—as the policy holder—to simplify questionnaires and provide a comments section. Additionally, data on cases of lecturer tardiness will be compiled for reminders and continuous improvement, with an emphasis on clear lecturer–student communication.
Regarding KBK, the department explained that quota proportions are calculated based on the number of lecturers in each group and that flexibility is open across KBK— including course choices and thesis topics—so students can align with their academic interests. In terms of services, the department is encouraging the joint drafting of SOPs with the faculty for matters such as tuition (UKT) refunds and practical-work procedures, while also redistributing thesis-supervision quotas more evenly.
The dialogue also recommended improving information governance—among other things by publishing administrative workflows in infographic form—and strengthening the department’s official communication channels, so students receive clear and consistent information on internships, theses, and academic services.
Through Academic Dialogue 2024, the Department of Physics reaffirms a collaborative commitment: to listen openly to aspirations, follow up in a measured way, and strengthen a healthy academic culture. The HMF–Department collaboration is expected to remain a model for participatory, quality-oriented study-program governance.