Professor Ratna Sari Dewi: Bachelor of Languages Needs to be Equipped with Technological Skills

Main Auditorium, UIN News Online – English Language Education (PBI) students and graduates need to be equipped with digital technology capabilities and other supporting skills. Both are needed so that language scholars are able to adapt to jobs that demand creativity in the new normal era and digital progress.

This is absolutely necessary so language education scholars can adapt to jobs that require creativity in the new normal era and digital progress.

This was said by Ratna Sari Dewi in her scientific oration titled “Tantangan dan Peluang Global Mahasiswa dan Lulusan PBI pada masa New Normal Menuju Era 5.0”. She was inaugurated as a English Education (PBI) Professor at the Main Auditorium Building, Wednesday (11/5/2022).

Armed with language skills, Ratna said, PBI graduates have wider creative work opportunities outside the teaching profession, such as content creators, copy writers, translators, mentors, and administrators. However, various creative jobs require reliable information technology skills.

“Considering that we have entered the digital era, PBI graduates who have been equipped with these skills will not be surprised by the changes, but will be easy to follow,” said Ratna.

The Covid-19 pandemic situation that has occurred since the last two years and followed by the massive use of digital technology can be a reference for the importance of mastering technology for students and graduates. At this time, the learning process in education and various community activities are carried out online which require adaptation to technology.

For this reason, she suggested, educational institutions need to quickly design an educational model for language students, especially PBI. “The opportunities for PBI students and graduates to respond to challenges must of course be addressed appropriately and intelligently,” she said.

Ratna also suggested at least two things that need to be taken in preparing language scholars who are ready to face such situations. Both, restructuring the English language education curriculum according to changing times and preparing students with appropriate competencies and skills.

“The curriculum is an important component in education, but it still needs change and development along with dynamic social changes,” said Ratna. (zm/usa)