Receiving the inaugural cohort of students marks the commencement of medical education at UIN Sunan Kalijaga. Behind this milestone lies an extensive process to ensure that the entire learning system, human resources, and academic assessment are ready to be implemented in accordance with the standards of medical education.

One such effort was realized through the series of Problem Based Learning (PBL) Tutor and Basic Clinical Skills Instructor Workshops. Featuring a team from the Faculty of Medicine of Universitas Diponegoro (FK UNDIP), this workshop series forms part of the strengthening of the learning system, encompassing the design of the learning process, clinical skills mentoring, and the development of the assessment system, so that lecturers are prepared to fulfil the various strategic roles required in implementing the medical curriculum in its entirety.

The session on Developing Blueprint of MCQ and MCQ Case Cluster Questions, delivered by dr. Lathifa Putry Fauzia, was received by Medical Study Program lecturers on Friday (10/7/2026). In this session, lecturers studied the preparation of blueprints as the foundation for developing Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) and Case Cluster items capable of proportionally representing learning outcomes. The blueprint serves as an important instrument ensuring that every question measures the expected competencies, not only conceptual mastery, but also the ability to analyze cases and make clinical decisions.

The strengthening of the assessment system continued through a presentation on Developing OSCE Blueprint and Rubrics delivered by Prof. Dr. dr. Tri Nur Kristina, DMM., M.Kes. She explained that the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a clinical competency assessment method designed to be systematic, objective, and aligned with the Indonesian Doctor Competency Standards (SKDI).

Meanwhile, in the session on How to be OSCE Examiners, dr. I Edward Kurnia Setiawan L., M.M., M.H.Kes., Sp.PK(K)., M.Si.Med. emphasized that objectivity is the primary principle in the conduct of OSCE, requiring every examiner to adhere to the agreed rubric and carry out observations in full, without being influenced by subjective judgement.

Dr. Edward stressed that when serving as an OSCE examiner, lecturers are required to undergo a transformation of role, from mentor to observer, focused on assessing students' competency achievement based on the established instruments. Clinical assessment must therefore fulfil the principles of objectivity, validity, reliability, inter-examiner consistency, fairness, and accountability.

Going beyond conceptual strengthening, participants also took part in an OSCE simulation session. In the simulation, lecturers alternated between the roles of examiner and student, enabling them to experience first-hand the dynamics of a clinical competency examination. This experience helped lecturers understand the application of assessment rubrics, sharpen their capacity for objective observation, and ensure that the assessment process runs in accordance with established standards.

Closing the workshop, a lecturer from the UIN Sunan Kalijaga Medical Study Program, Dr. Murtafiqoh Hasanah, assessed the series of sessions as having significantly strengthened lecturers' readiness to implement the curriculum, from the learning process through to the preparation of an assessment system aligned with learning outcomes.

“All the material delivered has provided us with very valuable provisions, both in preparing assessment instruments and in readying the learning process. We are optimistic that this series of preparations will serve as a strong foundation in welcoming the first cohort of the Medical Study Program,” she said.

She also expressed appreciation to the Faculty of Medicine of Universitas Diponegoro for accompanying the establishment process with full commitment and dedication.

“The guidance provided was not only about sharing knowledge, but also sharing practical experience that is invaluable in preparing the implementation of medical education at UIN Sunan Kalijaga. We hope that this excellent collaboration will continue and further strengthen the development of the Medical Study Program going forward,” she concluded.

The strengthening of lecturer capacity in the areas of learning and assessment represents a strategic step by UIN Sunan Kalijaga in ensuring that the medical curriculum is implemented optimally. A curriculum is determined not only by the quality of its learning design, but also by the capacity of the human resources who implement it.

Lecturers therefore hold a central role in translating the curriculum into an effective learning process, meaningful learning experiences, and an assessment system capable of comprehensively measuring students' competencies. The strengthening of this capacity across these various roles forms an important foundation for building a quality academic culture, while simultaneously reaffirming UIN Sunan Kalijaga's commitment to delivering medical education that is standards-based, in the pursuit of producing medical graduates who are competent, professional, and ready to deliver the best healthcare services to the community. (humassk)