FPSD UPI and ITENAS Formalize Academic Collaboration in Art and Design Research
January 21, 2026 - at the Smartclass Room on the second floor of the Faculty of Art and Design Education (FPSD) building, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was held between FPSD UPI and the Faculty of Architecture and Design, Institut Teknologi Nasional (ITENAS) Bandung. This event marked an important milestone in strengthening academic networks among faculties of art and design, particularly in fostering synergy within the tridharma of higher education through concrete and sustainable collaboration. The signing of this agreement was not merely ceremonial in nature, but was conceived as an initial step toward the implementation of collaborative programs that can be directly applied in the domains of education, research, and community service.
Figure 1. FPSD UPI and the Faculty of Architecture–Design of ITENAS (FPSD Press, 2026).
The implementation of this cooperation directly involves the Visual Communication Design (DKV) Study Program and the Film and Television (FTV) Study Program of FPSD UPI as primary partners with the corresponding study programs at the Faculty of Architecture and Design, ITENAS. The agreed scope of cooperation encompasses several strategic areas, including inter-institutional collaborative research, the organization of joint exhibitions as platforms for disseminating academic and artistic works, guest lecturer and adjunct professor programs to enrich scholarly perspectives, as well as cooperation in the management and strengthening of scientific journals. Through this broad scope, the collaboration is intended to cultivate a more dynamic, open, and productive academic environment, while simultaneously expanding students’ and lecturers’ access to cross-institutional academic experiences.
In his remarks, Dr. Hery Supiarza, M.Pd., emphasized the importance of understanding the specific characteristics of each study program within the Faculty of Art and Design Education at UPI as a fundamental basis for designing effective collaboration. He explained that each program possesses distinctive scholarly approaches, practical orientations, and pedagogical contexts that must be proportionally integrated within a collaborative framework. According to him, inter-faculty cooperation should not be confined to administrative formalities, but must be realized through implementative programs whose impact can be directly experienced by the academic community. Therefore, collaborative research, joint exhibitions, and the exchange of teaching roles are regarded as strategic vehicles for integrating the strengths of scholarly inquiry and creative practice from both institutions.
Figure 2. FPSD UPI and the Faculty of Architecture–Design of ITENAS (FPSD Press, 2026).
In line with this perspective, the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design, ITENAS Bandung, stated that the meeting took place in a constructive and engaging atmosphere. He noted that the discussions fostered a renewed awareness of the vast potential for cooperation that can be developed, not only limited to the DKV and FTV Study Programs, but also extending to other programs within each faculty. This statement reflects the view that inter-institutional collaboration should be developed gradually and adaptively, in response to evolving academic needs and the dynamic development of the fields of art, design, and creative technology.
Overall, the signing of this cooperation agreement represents a shared commitment between FPSD UPI and the Faculty of Architecture and Design, ITENAS Bandung, to establish an academic partnership oriented toward strengthening the quality of higher education in art and design. Through collaborative research, the enrichment of academic activities, and joint management of scientific publications, this cooperation is expected to stimulate innovation, enhance institutional competitiveness, and broaden the academic contributions of both faculties to the advancement of knowledge, art, and design at both national and international levels.
Contributor FPSD PRESS: Marsel Ridky Maulana
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