History

Undergraduate Program in International Relations

When a Dean Sees Opportunity Amidst the Vastness of Indonesia's Diplomatic Relations

The idea of Drs. Warsito, SU, who at the time served as the Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), became the driving force behind the establishment of the International Relations (IR) study program in mid-August 2010. This was prompted by the expanding scope of Indonesia’s diplomatic relations with other countries across five continents, encompassing not only political, military, economic, and cultural ties but also other aspects of international relations.

The expanding scope of these diplomatic relations certainly has a significant and natural impact, which is inevitable, including for Indonesia. Many universities with International Relations programs have made substantial contributions to the nation, yet it was felt that these efforts were not yet optimal. Therefore, Drs. Warsito, SU, believed that the International Relations program would be able to contribute to the Indonesian government in fostering relations with other countries, ensuring that these relationships continue to thrive, develop positively, and minimize potential negative outcomes.

To realize this aspiration, support was needed from other study programs within FISIP, such as Government Studies, Business Administration, and Public Administration, as well as other long-established faculties under Diponegoro University, including the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Humanities, which could be invited to participate in developing this new study program. Additionally, support from other relevant institutions, both domestic and international, would enable the International Relations study program at FISIP, Diponegoro University, to leverage and develop the various potentials spread across different areas.

The International Relations study program at FISIP, Diponegoro University, has a concentration on international cooperation in addressing international and transnational crimes. This concentration was chosen because the program aims to contribute ideas to the Indonesian government and other parties on how to address the various forms of crime that have emerged as a consequence of the increasingly intensive relations between countries today.

After the idea of establishing the International Relations study program gained support from relevant parties within Undip, a formal proposal for its establishment was prepared. For this purpose, written support from external parties regarding the necessity of establishing the program was required. Another necessity was to collect letters of willingness from lecturers to teach in the International Relations study program, along with preparing other technical requirements. However, after the proposal was completed and received approval from the Senate and the Rector of Diponegoro University, it was canceled before being sent to the Directorate General of Higher Education (Ditjen Dikti) of the Ministry of National Education due to new regulations stating that proposals for establishing new study programs must be submitted online and had new provisions.

Following the instructions from Ditjen Dikti, Forms 1, 2, and 3 were completed in full. After obtaining a registration number, the subsequent stages were carried out. Once Forms 4 and 5 received approval, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, in this case the Directorate General of Higher Education, issued a letter numbered 809/E/T/2011 dated June 13, 2011, granting authority to Diponegoro University to establish the International Relations (S1) Study Program at FISIP – UNDIP.

Proposal Ready, But Regulations Changed: A Story of Adaptation Mid-Journey

After the Rector of Diponegoro University sent a letter to the Directorate General of Higher Education confirming the university’s readiness to directly oversee the implementation of the mandate and began taking administrative and academic preparatory steps, the university opened registration for new students through the Mandatory Examination (UM) pathway in August 2011. A total of 1,100 applicants registered, but only 120 were accepted.

On December 7, 2011, the Decree of the Minister of National Education of the Republic of Indonesia number 285/E/O/2011 was issued, granting permission for the operation of the International Relations Study Program at FISIP, Diponegoro University.

Furthermore, based on the Decree of the Dean of FISIP, Diponegoro University, number 282/SK/H7.3.7/2011 dated March 1, 2011, the Personnel Structure of the International Relations Study Program Formation Team, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Diponegoro University, was established as follows:

1,100 Applicants, 120 Selected: The Beginning of the Journey for Undip's First Generation of International Relations Students

Responsible Person:
Drs. Agus Hermani DS, MM (Dean)

Advisors:
Dra. Sri Widowati H, MS (Vice Dean I)
Drs. Priyatno Harsasto, MA (Head of the Government Studies Department)

Chairperson:
Alm. Drs. Tri Cahyo Utomo, MA

Secretary:
Dr. Reni Windiani, MS

Treasurer:
Dra. Rr. Hermini S, M.Si.

Members:
Laila Kholid A, SIP, MPP
Wahid Abdurrahman SIP, M.Si
Erfien Puspitasari, A.Md.