SLEMAN - Around six o'clock in the morning, Yudhy Widya Kusuma got ready leaving his house in the East Sleman to the campus of UPN "Veteran" Yogyakarta. That morning (Sunday, 11/7), he became one of the supervisors of the Computer-Based Writing Examination (UTBK) on the State University Entrance Test Joint Selection (SBMPTN).

Upon arrival on campus, he and about 50 committee members and supervisors attended a coordination meeting before the exam.

"We were gathered in the room to get a brief briefing. A week before, we had received technical guidance and knew the rules that may or may not be taken during the exam,” he said.

The man who is also a lecturer in the Public Relations Study Program said that he and his colleagues at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences were given the task of being examiners of the examinations. This task, he said, became a responsibility other than his busy teaching.

"Now the students are off school, so we can participate as supervisors," he said.

Becoming a UTBK supervisor in the midst of a pandemic situation requires him and the committee adhere to the Covid-19 prevention protocol. Measuring body temperature, washing hands, wearing masks and gloves are mandatory protocols that must be carried out.

"Because I was assigned to be a supervisor, I must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This PPE must be worn while we are in the examination room," he said while wearing a green PPE.

PPE becomes a mandatory equipment for supervisors, technical and medical personnel when having UTBK at UPNVY. This obligation is a recommendation from the UPNVY-19 COVID Cluster to the UTBK committee.

"The UTBK committee anticipates it, so that a new Covid cluster does not appear. Participants are also required to bring a health certificate from a doctor," said Prijoto, the secretary of UPNVY UTBK committee.

The complete use of PPE and the strict implementation of the Covid protocol received appreciation from Plt. General Director of Higher Education Kemdikbud, Prof. Nizam, who was present when examining the implementation of the UTBK at UPNVY, Sunday (07/12/2020).

"That's good. The SOP given by the UTBK committee is minimal SOP. When universities can provide more than that, we appreciate it, "said Nizam.

He also checked that prospective students were served well and safely in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to him, the health and safety of the prospective new students as well as the UPNVY academic community are important and the main concern.

It is known that there are 2,441 prospective new students scheduled to join UTBK at UPNVY on 5-13 July 2020. UPNVY held 2 UTBK sessions in a day, each session was attended by 150 participants. (wwj / PR)