Makassar, LAMSAMA — The Independent Accreditation Agency for Natural and Formal Sciences (LAMSAMA) and the Higher Education Service Institution (LLDIKTI) Region IX have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing higher education quality through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Cooperation Agreement (PKS) on Synergy in Quality Enhancement and Accreditation of Study Programs within LAMSAMA’s Scope. The signing took place on Friday, August 21, at the LLDIKTI Region IX Hall in Makassar.
The MoU was formally signed by Dr. Melania Suweni Muntini, M.T., Deputy Director for Resources and Cooperation at LAMSAMA, and Prof. dr. Budu, Ph.D., Sp.M(K)., M.MedEd., Head of LLDIKTI Region IX.
The partnership marks a strategic step toward strengthening institutional collaboration in external quality assurance, quality enhancement, and the accreditation of study programs within LAMSAMA’s scope across higher education institutions under the jurisdiction of LLDIKTI Region IX.
The five-year agreement, effective from the date of signing, will serve as the foundation for a range of planned, measurable, documented, and sustainable quality enhancement and accreditation initiatives. The technical implementation of the MoU will be further governed through a Cooperation Agreement between the two institutions.
Driving Accreditation Readiness and Performance
Through this collaboration, LAMSAMA and LLDIKTI Region IX will work together to strengthen external quality assurance systems and improve the accreditation status of study programs within LAMSAMA’s scope.
The partnership is driven in part by the potential identified among study programs within LLDIKTI Region IX’s jurisdiction to improve their accreditation readiness and performance.
The collaboration will encompass a number of strategic initiatives, including the socialization and dissemination of LAMSAMA’s accreditation policies and instruments, mapping the quality baseline and accreditation status of study programs, conducting self-assessments, providing technical assistance and consultations, and strengthening the capacity of institutions’ internal quality assurance systems.
The initiative will support not only study programs that already hold accredited status, but also those currently holding Non-Accredited Status. Self-assessment support, gap analysis, and the development of follow-up action plans will form part of the assistance provided to help study programs strengthen their quality readiness.
Dr. Melania Suweni Muntini, M.T., emphasized that the partnership represents an important step toward building a more structured and sustainable quality enhancement ecosystem across the LLDIKTI Region IX area.
“This partnership is an important step in strengthening the synergy between LAMSAMA and LLDIKTI Region IX in fostering a culture of quality across higher education institutions. Our goal is not only to ensure that study programs are prepared for the accreditation process, but also to encourage accreditation to become an integral part of continuous quality enhancement. Through systematic mapping, self-assessment, targeted assistance, and follow-up actions, we hope that more study programs within LAMSAMA’s scope will strengthen their readiness and achieve improved accreditation outcomes.”
Representatives of LAMSAMA and LLDIKTI Region IX pose for a group photo.
Structured and Sustainable Quality Development
The partnership will target both public and private higher education institutions, as well as the units responsible for managing study programs within LAMSAMA’s scope. Other stakeholders include university leaders, heads or coordinators of study programs, quality assurance units, and accreditation task forces.
A range of activities has been planned, including seminars, workshops, and coordination forums; data and accreditation status mapping; self-assessment assistance aimed at improving accreditation status; coaching clinics and document clinics; as well as regular monitoring and evaluation.
Through these initiatives, the two institutions aim to strengthen the culture of quality within higher education institutions, improve study programs’ understanding of and readiness for LAMSAMA’s accreditation system, and increase the number of study programs able to progressively and sustainably improve their accreditation status.
Under the partnership, LAMSAMA will be responsible for developing program designs and technical materials, providing speakers and subject-matter experts, delivering technical assistance and consultations, and conducting monitoring and evaluation.
Meanwhile, LLDIKTI Region IX will work with LAMSAMA to identify and determine the target higher education institutions and study programs, facilitate coordination with participating institutions, and encourage the active involvement of institutional leaders and quality assurance units.
Expanding the Impact of Quality Assurance Across Region IX
LLDIKTI Region IX covers South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, and West Sulawesi. With this broad geographical mandate, its collaboration with LAMSAMA is expected to expand access to information, technical assistance, and capacity-building opportunities in quality assurance and accreditation for study programs within LAMSAMA’s scope.
The signing of the MoU and Cooperation Agreement reinforces the shared commitment of LAMSAMA and LLDIKTI Region IX to ensuring that quality assurance and accreditation serve not merely as administrative requirements, but as integral components of a systematic and continuous process for improving the quality of higher education.
The partnership is expected to provide a strong foundation for long-term collaboration in strengthening a culture of quality and improving the quality and accreditation outcomes of study programs within LAMSAMA’s scope across the LLDIKTI Region IX area.
Dr. Melania Suweni Muntini, M.T. (left) and Prof. dr. Budu, Ph.D., Sp.M(K)., M.MedEd. (right) during the presentation of a souvenir from LAMSAMA.
