USK Master of Physics Program Dissemination with BMKG: Strengthening Indonesia’s Human Resources in Geophysics, Atmospheric Science, and Instrumentation

Banda Aceh, July 4, 2025 – The Master’s Program in Physics at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) of Syiah Kuala University (USK) collaborated with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) of Aceh Province to organize a dissemination activity for the Master’s Program in Physics with the theme “Project-Based Learning to Support the Strengthening of Indonesia’s Human Resources in the Fields of Geophysics, Atmospheric Sciences, and Instrumentation.”

This hybrid event was held at the BMKG Class I Meteorological Station Sultan Iskandar Muda in Aceh Besar, as well as via a Zoom Meeting. The event was attended by approximately 50 participants, including BMKG professionals, academics, students, and alums. The event was also attended by the Deputy for Climatology at BMKG, heads of BMKG Provincial Offices in Aceh, representatives from the BMKG Human Resources Development Agency (PPSDM), and faculty members from the Physics Department of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) at USK.

The event was opened by the Head of the Master’s Program in Physics at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, USK, Prof. Dr. Muksin, S.Si., M.Si., M.Phil., who emphasized the importance of collaboration between the academic world and technical institutions, such as BMKG, in his opening remarks. “This program is designed not only to produce graduates with theoretical understanding but also practical skills through a Project-Based Learning approach. We aim to cultivate human resources capable of addressing the challenges of the times, particularly in disaster management and climate change issues, and to foster research opportunities with strategic institutions like BMKG,” stated Prof. Muksin.

The official opening of the event was delivered by the Head of the BMKG Regional Office I in Medan, who welcomed USK’s initiative in establishing concrete collaboration to support professionalism in the fields of geosciences and climatology in Indonesia.

The dissemination event featured several competent speakers, including:

• Adityawarman, S.Si., M.M. (Head of the MKG Human Resources Development Center), highlighted the urgency of applying physics in the BMKG work environment.
• Prof. Dr. Eng. Elin Yusibani, S.Si., M.Eng., outlined the curriculum and research areas in the USK Physics Master’s Program.
• Prof. Dr. Muksin, S.Si., M.Si., M.Phil, explained the application of physics in the field of geophysics.
• Prof. Dr. Ir. Muhammad Syukri, S.Si., M.T., IPM., ASEAN Eng., who presented the application of physics in atmospheric science.
• Dr. M. Syukri Surbakti, S.Si., M.Si., discussed the application of physics in the fields of instrumentation and computation.

The dissemination session also featured testimonials from alums who have made significant contributions to various strategic institutions in Indonesia, as well as the screening of a video profile of the Master’s Program in Physics, an effort to introduce the academic atmosphere and strengths of the program more closely to the participants.

The event concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session and photo documentation both online and offline.

With the successful conduct of this event, it is hoped that it will serve as a concrete step for the Master’s Program in Physics at USK in strengthening its role as a provider of research-based higher education and practical training. The Project-Based Learning approach is a strategic method for equipping students with the competencies needed to address challenges in the fields of geophysics, atmospheric science, and instrumentation professionally.