The sharing session introduced MBKM internships, academic credit conversion, undergraduate research opportunities, joint publications, and institutional collaboration.
SEMARANG, INDONESIA: The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN) held a sharing session with lecturers and students of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Universitas Negeri Semarang (FMIPA UNNES) at the D7 Campus of FMIPA UNNES on Monday, July 20, 2026.
The session introduced internship opportunities for FMIPA UNNES students through the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program. The program allows students to gain practical work and research experience within Indonesia’s national research institution.
A researcher from BRIN’s Research Center for Ecology, Joko Prihantono, Ph.D., explained that students participating in the internship program could receive academic recognition through the conversion of their activities into semester credit units.
“Through the MBKM program, students who undertake internships at BRIN may have their activities converted into academic credits. After completing the internship, they may also continue their research as part of their undergraduate thesis,” Joko Prihantono said.
In addition to discussing internship opportunities, the meeting served as an initial platform for exploring cooperation between BRIN and FMIPA UNNES in research and scientific publication. Both institutions also discussed opportunities to prepare joint proposals for external research funding.
BRIN encouraged UNNES students to take advantage of its research facilities, researcher supervision, and professional research environment. These opportunities are expected to strengthen students’ research competencies and provide direct experience in conducting scientific projects.
The session also opened opportunities for lecturers and researchers from both institutions to conduct collaborative studies, produce joint scientific publications, and develop academic programs that strengthen the research culture at FMIPA UNNES.
The Coordinator of the Master’s Program in Physics at FMIPA UNNES, Prof. Dr. Supriyadi, welcomed the sharing session and expressed hope that the relationship between FMIPA UNNES and BRIN would continue to develop through more structured cooperation.
He also encouraged both institutions to formalize their partnership through a cooperation agreement, providing a stronger foundation for internship programs, research, publications, and other academic initiatives.
The activity supports the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Its contribution to SDG 4 is reflected in the provision of research-based learning experiences for students. Research and innovation opportunities support SDG 9, while the planned institutional cooperation between BRIN and UNNES aligns with SDG 17.
Through the sharing session, FMIPA UNNES expects its students to gain broader access to internship and research programs. Collaboration with BRIN is also expected to improve educational quality, research productivity, and human resource development within FMIPA UNNES.
