Universitas Brawijaya Student Academic Research Scheme (UB STARS) is a program initiated by Prof. Widodo, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D.Med.Sc. and run together with Global Academic Engagement UB which is led by the vice rector 1 for academic affairs. UB STARS itself is a program of UB that provides students with outbound opportunities to complete their final assignments with researchers at BRIN and with international academics.
This program is the first program in Indonesia that not only involves Masters and Doctoral students, but also opens it widely to undergraduate students from all majors. This is because other universities do have similar programs but are limited to Postgraduate students.
Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ir. Imam Santoso, MP. said UB STARS also supports undergraduate students to conduct collaborative research
“Commonly, collaborative research is intended for postgraduate students. Currently, through UB STARS program, we have supported, encouraged, and facilitated undergraduate students. InshaAllah, UB will be the first UB STARS program in Indonesia,” he said.
Fitri Hariana Oktaviani, SS, SE, M.Commun, PhD. who is part of Global Academic Engagement said that this program is open to all undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral study programs. UB STARS itself aims to improve the quality of research, provide experience for students, and increase the number of scientific publications at UB.
“The purpose of this program is not only to give them the opportunity to gain experience but also to increase the number of UB publications in Scopus or WOS,” he said.
The output of this program is indeed for how students can make their final assignments not only reports but also be published through scientific journals such as Scopus and WOS together with their supervisors.
Fitri added that currently the selection and announcement of the pilot project for the 2024/2025 Odd Semester is being carried out and registration for the regular program has been opened until December 31, 2024 for the departure of the 2024/2025 Even Semester. This program will be implemented in the odd semester of 2025.
Fitri explained that there are several requirements that must be met by students such as a letter of recommendation from the head of the study program, a letter of permission from parents and communication between the supervisor and BRIN researchers or partner lecturers at foreign universities.
“Previously, students must get approval from the supervisor. Second, support from parents if they still depend on their parents. Then from each KPS there is a letter of recommendation, there is evidence that the supervisor concerned has an agreement with an external lecturer, whether from abroad or BRIN,” he said.
In conducting UB STARS research, students will be given incentive assistance in varying amounts depending on where the research is conducted. If the research is conducted domestically, students will receive IDR 10,000,000, in Southeast Asia IDR 12,500,000, Asia IDR 15,000,000 and if in Europe, Australia or America IDR 20,000,000. This incentive can be used for transportation assistance, activity costs, accommodation or insurance.
The interesting thing about this program is that there is no quota limit. Fitri Hariana Oktaviani, Ss., M.Commun., Ph.D., who is also a researcher in Communication Sciences, said that this program, which is still relatively new, wants to be opened widely to students. Although there is no quota for students who pass the selection, according to the rector’s direction, the research target through the UB Stars program is 1000 articles. which is limited as long as it meets the applicable requirements.
“So whatever is deemed to meet the requirements for this project, we will send it. This is we starting so we want a high success rate,” she said. (ROM/UB PR/ Trans. Iir).
