The Agricultural Competency Test Site (TUK) for the Department of Biology, FMIPA, University of Jember obtained a license from the National Agricultural Professional Certification Institute (LSP). The license is valid for 5 (five) years since it was stipulated on 6 February 2023. TUK Agriculture Department of Biology according to the stipulation will have 3 schemes namely Occupational Implementation of In Vitro Culture, Occupational Control of Organisme Penggangu Tumbuhan (OPT), and Level II Qualification of Tissue Culture. The license is also a sign of extension from the Biology Department’s TUK which has carried out mentoring and competency tests several times.

“BIology TUK has carried out technical guidance to tissue culture competency tests with participants from FMIPA itself, Biology Education FKIP, Ubaya Technobiology Faculty,” said Purwatiningsih, Ph.D Head of TUK Biology Department. It was further conveyed that some time in the future, USU Medan would also provide technical guidance and competency tests.

Some time ago Drs. Surini Santoso, M.Si., Director of LSP Pertanian Nasional, came to FMIPA UNEJ to meet directly with the Biology TUK manager and FMIPA leaders. “TUK Tissue Culture in Biology Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is a pioneer in carrying out competency tests in the East Java region,” he said. Surini also said that TUK is an extension of LSP which is an official institution appointed by BNSP to conduct competency tests.

Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Jember, Drs. Achmad Sjaifullah, M.Sc., Ph.D. on this occasion said that FMIPA has many opportunities for certification schemes by referring to the existing curriculum. “After Biology, it can be followed by other majors at FMIPA, with a scheme that still refers to the existing curriculum,” he hoped. The Dean also asked that TUK encourage lecturers with Masters degrees to take competency tests in order to meet the IKU’s stipulated in the Minister of Education and Culture.