The Faculty of Language and Literature Education (FPBS) at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) received an official visit from the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) of Universitas Jambi (UNJA). The visit marked a new chapter of strategic collaboration between the two institutions in efforts to improve the quality of the tridharma of higher education. The main focus of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) and a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) related to the implementation of a curriculum based on Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL).
The delegation from Universitas Jambi was led directly by Failasofah, S.S., M.Pd., Ph.D., Secretary of the English Education Department of FKIP UNJA. She was welcomed by the leadership of FPBS UPI: Dean of FPBS Prof. Dr. Wawan Gunawan, M.Ed., Ph.D.; Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Partnerships Yanty Wirza, M.Pd., M.A., Ph.D.; Head of UPI’s English Language Education Study Program Prof. Hj. Emi Emilia, M.Ed., Ph.D.; and Secretary of UPI’s English Language Education Study Program Dr. Rojab Siti Rodliyah, M.Ed.
This cooperation is not merely ceremonial, but a concrete step to integrate FPBS UPI’s academic expertise in Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) into the curriculum at Universitas Jambi. SFL, which views language as a social resource for making meaning, is a crucial focus in the development of the pedagogical competence of future English teachers. In his remarks, FPBS UPI Dean Prof. Wawan Gunawan, Ph.D., expressed his optimism and emphasized that UPI is fully committed to supporting partner universities in improving the quality of their learning.
As an initial step in implementing the MoA and PKS, both parties agreed on a series of short- and medium-term programs. These programs include socialization activities, intensive training, and periodic curriculum mentoring. The expert team from UPI’s English Language Education Study Program will assist UNJA lecturers in preparing teaching materials, designing syllabi, and applying SFL-based evaluation methods.
Prof. Emi Emilia, Ph.D., Head of UPI’s English Language Education Study Program and one of Indonesia’s leading SFL scholars, stated her readiness to oversee the mentoring program. According to her, a comprehensive understanding of SFL will provide a competitive advantage for graduates of UNJA’s English Language Education program.
On the other hand, Failasofah, Ph.D., representing the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education of Universitas Jambi, expressed deep appreciation for the openness and strong support provided by FPBS UPI. She acknowledged that UPI, especially the English Language Education Study Program, has a very strong track record and reputation in the development of SFL scholarship at both the national and international levels.
In addition to focusing on SFL curriculum mentoring, the momentum of this meeting also opened space for discussion on other future collaboration opportunities. Through this cooperation, FPBS UPI and the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education of Universitas Jambi have demonstrated their commitment to moving forward together and raising the quality standards of English language education in Indonesia through an applicable and transformative linguistic approach.