Surabaya, UNTAG – The Industrial Engineering Study Program at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) has achieved a proud accomplishment at the national level. This time, USU Industrial Engineering successfully secured Fourth Place in the BKSTI Award 2024, under the Independent Undergraduate Cluster category. This prestigious award was organized by the Cooperation Board of Indonesian Industrial Engineering Higher Education Institutions (BKSTI) as part of a series of events including the Socialization of Accreditation Post-Ministry of Education and Culture Regulation No. 53, and a Workshop on Capstone Design Assessment, Industrial Statistics, and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), which was held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 (Untag), Surabaya.

The BKSTI Award 2024 serves as a platform of appreciation for the best industrial engineering study programs across Indonesia. This year, the prestigious event was attended by representatives from 349 industrial engineering programs from various renowned higher education institutions throughout the country. The success of USU Industrial Engineering in achieving fourth place in the Independent Undergraduate Cluster category is a recognition of the quality and independent management of the program.



In the BKSTI 2024 forum, the main topic of discussion was the implementation of Capstone Design as an innovative learning method. Prof. Ir. Bertha Maya Sophia, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., IPU., ASEAN Eng., Professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), emphasized the importance of a correct understanding of Capstone Design. She stated that many study programs claim to have implemented Capstone Design, but in reality, its implementation often remains limited to research activities.

“Capstone is the culmination of all courses that have been previously studied and is specifically designed for the final semester. Students cannot take it in the early semesters. It is important to remember that Capstone must be integrated with various other disciplines,” explained Prof. Bertha, clarifying the essence of the Capstone Design learning method.

The BKSTI Award 2024 earned by USU Industrial Engineering further reinforces the program’s commitment to maintaining and continuously improving the quality of industrial engineering higher education. This achievement is expected to serve as a motivation for the entire academic community of USU Industrial Engineering to continue contributing to the advancement of industrial engineering higher education in Indonesia, as well as producing graduates who are competent and globally competitive.