Politeknik Negeri Batam Enacts MBKM Learning with PBL Concept

Politeknik Negeri Batam is one of the colleges that has implemented the concept of merdeka belajar kampus merdeka (MBKM) meaning “freedom to learn, independent campus” which was initiated by the Ministry of Education and Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbud Ristek). The MBKM program is implemented in order to realize an autonomous and flexible learning process at Politeknik Negeri Batam so that the learning process is more creative and innovative. In the end, it can produce competent graduates, both soft skills and hard skills so that they are more prepared and relevant to the needs of the era.

Meanwhile, the current curriculum applied at Politeknik Negeri Batam is grounded in the business and industrial world namely “dunia usaha dan dunia industri (DUDI)” by transforming the learning concept of Project Based Learning (PBL) into a new paradigm of real project-based learning model to ensure soft skills and hard skills, as well as the students’ strong character. The PBL concept itself is part of the teaching factory learning model program that emphasizes activities to produce real products. It is hoped that this project-based learning will enable students to produce products in accordance with the industry standards.

The Director of Politeknik Negeri Batam, Uuf Brajawidagda, revealed that the MBKM programs had actually been implemented at the Polibatam since 2018, i.e. in the form of 1-year student internships, independent studies and link and match collaboration with DUDI. But now with the introduction of the MBKB program, it is more legalized and more structured. “This MBKM program is a policy of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Research and Technology related to balancing soft skills and hard skills in order to increase the relevance of the curriculum in higher education to the business world industry and the workforce, namely “industru dunia usaha dan dunia kerja (IDUKA),” and the programs in this MBKM have actually been carried out by Politeknik Negeri Batam a long time ago. But now it is more legalized and strengthened,” said Uuf when met in his office, Monday, January 17, 2022.

Likewise with learning process, said Uuf, Polibatam enacts a concept in the form of PBL, i.e. a real project-based learning model to ensure soft skills and hard skills, as well as the strong character of students. In addition, it also provides space for students to be able to think critically and analytically, have direct experience in the industrial world and in society as a provision to enter the workforce and be innovative and have creativity in solving problems.

“So the PBL concept is our effort to improve students’ academic abilities and provide opportunities for a student-centered learning system that is more collaborative, and is actively involved in completing projects independently, and can work in teams. This will help students adjust to their work environment in the future,” said Uuf again.

Source: gokepri.com