Indonesia
Against the backdrop of rising cases of student stress and suicide, Prof. Ir. Budi Guntoro, M.Sc., Ph.D., I.P.U., ASEAN Eng, urged lecturers at the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Universitas Islam Malang (UNISMA),to respond more attentively to the realities confronting the current generation of students.
The Dean of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry at Universitas Gadjah Mada delivered the message during a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) titled “Curriculum Transformation of the Master’s Program in Animal Science in the Era of Disruption” on November 22, 2024, at the East Java Study Center.
According to Prof. Guntoro, current data indicate alarming levels of vulnerability among students, with suicide tendencies reaching up to 20 percent. “This generation may be fragile, but it is we who must step into their era,” he stressed.
He emphasized that lecturers must strive to understand their students’ context rather than expecting them to conform to past standards. “Lecturers should not assume that students must be as we were in our time,” said the Secretary General of the Indonesian Forum of Higher Education Leaders in Animal Science, adding that educators must adapt to the pace of contemporary change.
“After all, we are living in their era,” Prof. Budi reiterated.
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Responding to technological demands, he underscored the need to develop learning systems grounded in Information Technology (IT) and the Internet of Things (IoT). Millennial lecturers, he noted, can serve as strategic bridges to align academic implementation with the digital realities of today’s students. Prof. Budi is an alumnus of Kasetsart University, Thailand.
The discussion, moderated by Prof. Dr. Mudawamah, M.Pt., M.Si., ASEAN Eng, was officially opened by the Director of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. M. Mas’ud Said, MM., Ph.D., and hosted by Dr. Dyah Lestari Yulianti, S.Pt., M.P.
Alumni Yustian Dwi Cahyo and Fitriyah, graduates of UNISMA’s undergraduate and master’s programs in Animal Husbandry, shared testimonies highlighting the relevance of their academic training in the professional field.
Yustian, currently an employee of KUD SAE Pujon Cooperative, explained that he applies his knowledge to cooperative members, many of whom are millennial livestock farmers. “We hope the future animal science curriculum incorporates mental resilience training, so graduates develop strong character before entering the workforce,” he said.
Ahmad Riza Muzzamil, S.Pt., M.M., Acting Head of the UPT PT and HMT Malang, also raised concerns about shifting ethical standards and professional conduct. A representative from the East Java Provincial Livestock Service expressed hope that ethics education would be integrated into the curriculum.
Prof. Budi also addressed the structure of the curriculum, particularly the intensive schedules in semesters four and five. He described the demanding coursework and practicum load as a form of “hidden curriculum,” designed to prepare students to perform effectively under pressure in professional settings.
The FGD concluded with the signing of an implementation agreement formalizing cooperation between UNISMA and UGM, marking a follow-up to a memorandum of understanding signed the previous month.
