JATINANGOR–On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, IKA PSI, along with the Library and Information Science Study Program, Fikom, Unpad, held an online kick-off meeting for their alumni database project using Microsoft Teams. The event was attended by 20 people, including the Manager of Research, Innovation, and Partnerships, FX. Ari Agung Prastowo, S.Sos., M.I.Kom., members of the IKA PSI board, the Head of the Library and Information Science Study Program, Dr. Rd. Hj. Funny Mustikasari Elita, M.Si., lecturers from the program, students, and alumni.
“This activity [the alumni database] is great for initiating follow-up activities. This is the beginning of what’s next, as many other study programs also struggle to track the whereabouts of their alumni,” said the Head of the Study Program, Dr. Rd. Hj. Funny Mustikasari Elita, M.Si. The alumni database will serve as a way to integrate the program’s curriculum with the needs of the industry, as expressed by the alumni.
“The key is integration,” said the Vice Chairman of IKA PSI, Bagus Ramdan, S.Sos. The alumni database can be integrated with student and study program activities. The Manager of Research, Innovation, and Partnerships, FX. Ari Agung Prastowo, S.Sos., M.I.Kom., added that the alumni database is more than just a data bank; it can make an impact on Unpad, Fikom, and all study programs within Unpad. “Akang Tétéh” (a respectful term for older siblings/alumni) can come back to campus and provide practical insights that are beneficial for developing the competencies of current students. This way, students will have the most current knowledge from “Akang Tétéh” who are already in the industry. As a bonus, students can graduate and get a job on time.
For the management of this alumni database, a competency development program called the Career Path Program has been prepared, where students contribute as part of the Database Project Team. Following the recruitment process, students from the 2022 and 2024 cohorts have been selected. The students from the 2022 cohort include Reza Gantiar, Deviana Kusuma, Naufal Rifqi, Jihan Alfi, Nabilah Ayu, and Aunillah Nailalmarom. Students from the 2024 cohort include Galuh Rarang Kirana, Syifa Afia, and Hamka Hamzah.
Sony Setiawan, S.Sos., as a member of the IKA PSI expert team, stated that the students will work in four roles: back-end, front-end, database engineer, and functional analyst. The students were previously provided with mentoring by the IKA PSI team. They are expected to meet timelines and deadlines and to understand the technology involved. “Thank you to the next generation who are helping us and are willing to fight with the timeline and deadlines,” said Arbi Meirano, M.M., the Organization Coordinator.
The alumni database will be a platform that supports a variety of activities, both academic and non-academic, benefiting all community members. It is hoped that this website will eventually cover all of IKA Fikom, with the Library and Information Science Study Program as the initial pilot project.
The alumni database kick-off meeting included a website prototype presentation by Ero Dwi Nawa, S.Sos., M.Han.from the Development Division, Arbi Meirano, M.M., and Abdurrahim Saktiyadi, S.Sos. from the Organization Division. It is hoped that this activity will motivate the students. They will receive a certificate for their work on the website. The program will also continue with a competency development program called “kick advance,” where the first cohort of students will coach the next generation. “This is the blueprint for us to become an open-source platform that can be adopted by other campuses later on,” added Sony Setiawan, S.Sos.
“This is exactly the key point. Many things are not taught in lectures but can be found in the field. Students can adapt to a fast-paced work environment. At least they will have an initial experience of what a work environment is like,” said Kusnandar, M.Si., a lecturer in the Library and Information Science Study Program. Alumni are a necessity for a study program because they are one of the criteria for program accreditation. “There is no study program that does not need alumni data because alumni are part of the program’s own learning process,” added Dr. Rd. Hj. Funny Mustikasari Elita, M.Si.
The Alumni Database does not just function as an information repository, but also as a channel for synergy in academic and non-academic activities. IKA PSI believes that close collaboration will strengthen the network and provide greater benefits for the entire academic community.
Authors: Bagus Ramdan and Evi Nursanti Rukmana
