Pangandaran, August 2, 2025 – The Department of Economics and Development Studies (IESP), Faculty of Economics and Business, Diponegoro University (FEB UNDIP), held a three-day Capacity Building Program in Pangandaran, West Java. One of the key agenda items was the Capacity Building Workshop, held at the Horison Palma Hotel, Pangandaran. It not only served as a forum for reflection and internal strengthening, but also provided a strategic opportunity to convey new directions for student thesis preparation. This event was designed to strengthen internal relationships, enhance synergy within the academic community, and reaffirm the IESP Department’s commitment to improving graduate quality, particularly in the aspect of thesis writing.
The main session of the Capacity Building Workshop, held in the Meeting Room of the Horison Palma Hotel, Pangandaran, was attended by lecturers and other departmental staff. The session provided a productive space for open dialogue. One of the main topics highlighted was the strategic plan to improve the IESP student thesis writing and guidance system. Covering three key points:
Three New Directions in the Thesis System
In his presentation, the speaker stated that improvements will soon be made to the student thesis guidelines, covering three crucial aspects:
1. Improvements to the Thesis Guidelines
The guidelines currently in use will be overhauled to be more responsive to developments in methodology, data technology, and the real needs of the workplace. Theses are expected to be not only formal written works, but also scientific products with a direct impact on society and policy.
2. More Structured and Strict Guidance Timelines
In an effort to increase the effectiveness of the guidance process, IESP will implement a regular monitoring system and a more disciplined schedule. Students will be encouraged to complete their theses within the optimal timeframe, while lecturers will be facilitated to oversee the guidance process in a more focused manner.
3. Focus on Outcomes, Not Just Outputs
One of the main paradigm shifts being implemented is a shift in focus from simply completing the thesis as an output to a clear and measurable outcome. This means that a thesis is not just a formal document, but must also have useful value—whether in the form of publications, digital applications, local economic policies, or concrete solutions to societal problems.
Dialogic and Open Atmosphere
With a fluid yet meaningful atmosphere, this discussion served as a forum for reflection and consolidation across all academic elements at IESP. Lecturers shared numerous inputs regarding the challenges and expectations regarding the current thesis system. It is hoped that this change will not only improve the quality of graduates but also make IESP more progressive and adaptive to the challenges of the times.
“The thesis is a space for students to prove their intellectual prowess, not just a graduation requirement. Therefore, the process must be high-quality, systematic, and impactful,” said Prof. FX Sugiyanto, Professor of Economics at UNDIP.
Capacity Building as a Means of Strengthening Character and Collaboration
This event was a crucial moment for the entire IESP FEB UNDIP academic community to unite in improving the quality of education. Through an informal yet meaningful atmosphere in Pangandaran, the lecturers not only strengthened their camaraderie but also agreed on concrete steps to promote better academic quality.
In addition to the workshop, the Capacity Building series of activities, held from August 1–3, 2025, also included an educational tour to the Pangandaran Grand Canyon, fun games, and a community program designed to strengthen bonds among lecturers and educational staff.
This event was deemed successful in creating a healthy collaborative atmosphere and serving as a starting point for positive change within the IESP academic environment. Moving forward, the IESP Department, Faculty of Economics and Business, Diponegoro University (UNDIP), is committed to continuing to improve its efforts to create a high-quality and impactful educational environment.