EduAsiaNews, Bogor – IPB University continues to undertake institutional and academic transformation in line with the academic architecture established by its Academic Senate. As part of this broader agenda, the Faculty of Human Ecology (FEMA) has officially been transformed into the Faculty of Social Sciences and Human Ecology (FISEMA).
Dean of FISEMA, Prof. Sofyan Sjaf, explained that the change represents more than a simple rebranding; it is part of a broader effort to reorganize academic disciplines in a manner that is more adaptive and relevant to contemporary challenges.
“IPB is pursuing not only structural transformation but also a transformation of knowledge. Faculties must align themselves with the academic architecture that has been established,” he stated.
Currently, FISEMA oversees two undergraduate programs—Communication and Community Development (KPM) and Family and Consumer Sciences; three master’s programs—Family and Child Development, Agricultural and Rural Development Communication, and Rural Sociology; and three doctoral programs—Family Sciences, Agricultural and Rural Development Communication, and Rural Sociology. With a stronger foundation in the social sciences, this transformation is viewed as a strategic step forward.
Prof. Sofyan noted that this year FISEMA aims to launch two new undergraduate programs: Sociology and Human Geography. As a result, the KPM academic cluster will expand into three undergraduate programs: Communication and Community Development, Sociology, and Human Geography.
“We will certainly update the curriculum. The Communication program will place greater emphasis on communication from a community development perspective. Meanwhile, Sociology and Human Geography will develop new curricula that respond to contemporary needs,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Prof. Sofyan emphasized that FISEMA’s academic development will not stop there. Under its roadmap through 2031, the faculty plans to establish additional programs in Consumer Science, Family and Child Development, Psychology, Political Science, International Relations, Anthropology, Law, and Public Policy.
“We aim to develop a distinctive social science identity at IPB. Our focus will remain on agromaritime communities, as well as societies in highland, lowland, and coastal areas. These will continue to serve as our primary areas of analysis,” he added.
In the field of research, FISEMA has adopted rural transformation as one of its flagship agendas. One key initiative is its research collaboration with China Agricultural University (CAU) to further develop methodologies and the Precision Village Data (PVD) framework.
“Alhamdulillah, Precision Village Data has attracted interest from various regions, including Maluku and Papua. In fact, the Legislative Body of Indonesia’s House of Representatives is currently considering its adoption as part of the methodology for the One Data Indonesia initiative,” Prof. Sofyan revealed.
According to him, this recognition demonstrates that innovations developed within the university are increasingly being acknowledged at the national policy level.
He described the transformation as a strategic move to ensure that the development of social sciences at IPB University remains relevant, contextual, and globally competitive.
“In line with IPB University’s vision of becoming a globally reputable institution, FISEMA will continue to strengthen its international networks while reinforcing the distinctive positioning of IPB’s social sciences, which are rooted in community engagement and regional transformation,” he concluded. (AS)
