The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) Universitas Brawijaya (UB) is now making it easier for students to complete their studies by providing a non-thesis graduation path.
In addition to the thesis, students can now choose various other forms of final assignments, such as Journal Articles, Community Projects, Film/Cinematography to Scientific Paper Competitions.
This step was taken in response to the needs of students who want to produce more applicable academic outputs and have a wider reach.
One successful example of the non-thesis path is the FISIP National Student Creativity Program (PIMNAS) Team from the Psychology Study Program who won a Gold Medal at the 37th PIMNAS in 2024. They completed their final assignment through the Scientific Paper Competition path.
In addition to the competition path, many students choose the journal article publication path as their final assignment.
Belva Pratidina, a student of the International Relations Study Program, class of 2022, admitted that she was interested since she wanted her work to be more easily accessible to many people, both on and off campus.
For her, a final assignment in the form of a journal article is more useful and not limited to the academic environment of the campus.
“I feel that a non-thesis final assignment will be more useful and not in vain. If it is in the form of a journal article, other people outside the study program or faculty can also read and utilize the results of my research,” she said.
Her research focuses on gender issues in the Israeli military, which is included in the Transnationalism compartment in IR. Currently, she is in the intensive guidance stage and is preparing for a proposal seminar.
In terms of facilities, Belva feels helped by the system implemented by the International Relations study program.
She explained that the existence of the International Relations Research (RHI) course since semester 6 helps students be better prepared to complete their final assignments faster.
Not only final year students, Gangga, a Sociology study program student from the class of 2023 also started preparing his final assignment since semester 4.
He chose a journal article final assignment to research the impact of sugar factory construction in the village where his grandmother lives.
“Even though I’m still in semester 4, the Sociology study program has facilitated its students to prepare their final assignments early through the non-thesis route. I feel that this opportunity is a shame to miss,” said Gangga.
Currently, he has undergone several intensive guidance sessions to mature his research outline. With good guidance from his supervisor, he feels helped in determining the appropriate topic to be used as a journal.
With the existence of various final assignment routes, FISIP UB provides an opportunity for students to choose a graduation method that suits their interests and expertise. Journal articles, films, social projects, and scientific competitions are now increasingly popular alternatives because they are more applicable and have a wider impact. (*/UB PR/ Trans. Iir).
