Universitas PGRI Madiun (UNIPMA) continues to finalize the transformation of its higher education system through the implementation of the Outcome-Based Education (OBE) curriculum. This effort was emphasized in a socialization activity held virtually on Tuesday (30/12), with a primary focus on updating the student assessment system to be more transparent, measurable, and based on learning outcomes.

This change marks a shift in the learning paradigm at UNIPMA. Lecturers no longer focus solely on the material taught, but rather on the actual abilities students possess after completing their studies. With the OBE approach, higher education graduates are assessed based on the competencies they have mastered, not merely by professional labels or academic degrees.

One of the UNIPMA lecturers, Dr. Lingga Nico Pradana, S.Pd., M.Pd., explained that the core of the OBE curriculum lies in the achievement of graduate abilities. “The OBE curriculum emphasizes what abilities students possess after graduation. Currently, university graduates are no longer referred to solely by their profession, but by abilities that align with the scientific vision of the study program,” he said yesterday, Tuesday (6/1).

He added that even though they come from the same study program, graduates can have different characteristic abilities. This depends on the competency dimensions designed by each study program. “These abilities are technically called Learning Outcomes, both CPL (Program Learning Outcomes) and CPMK (Course Learning Outcomes), which are formulated using operational verbs based on Bloom's taxonomy,” explained Dr. Lingga Nico Pradana, S.Pd., M.Pd.

In its implementation, UNIPMA has initiated strategic steps by drafting OBE curriculum guidelines, OBE-based Semester Learning Plans (RPS), and an OBE assessment system that is now integrated with the academic information system. The socialization held this time specifically discussed OBE-based assessment, attended by deans, heads of study programs, and lecturers.

“The focus of this socialization is to provide an understanding of the principles and techniques of OBE assessment, so that they align with the curriculum documents and RPS that have been prepared,” added Dr. Lingga Nico Pradana, S.Pd., M.Pd.

He admitted that the implementation of the OBE curriculum is not without challenges. One of them is changing the habits of lecturers in conducting assessments. “It is not enough for lecturers to just grade Midterms (UTS), Finals (UAS), and assignments; they must assess student learning outcomes, namely the abilities they master during and at the end of the lectures,” he expressed.

Furthermore, OBE implementation also demands synergy across all elements within the campus environment. Starting from planning inputs, the learning process, to the output and outcome of graduates, everything must run in harmony with the established curriculum design.

As a supporting effort, UNIPMA also released the format and examples of OBE-based RPS which serve as the main reference for lecturers. These documents function as a compass in mapping the linkage between lecture materials, learning methods, and assessment systems.

“The main key lies in the weighting of learning outcomes stated in the RPS, including its supporting assessment instruments,” emphasized Dr. Lingga Nico Pradana, S.Pd., M.Pd. He hopes that through OBE-based RPS, lecturers can conduct lectures that truly encourage the development of student abilities.

“The hope is that lecturers are able to carry out OBE-based learning consistently, while study programs, faculties, and the university work together to provide resource support, ranging from information systems and quality assurance to governance,” he concluded.

For more complete information regarding campus activities, you can visit the official UNIPMA Instagram account at @official_unipma. UNIPMA has also opened new student admissions for the 2025/2026 academic year. New student admissions for the Regular and RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) programs for the 2025/2026 academic year are also open.