Sleman - The Computer-Based Writing Examination (UTBK) in 2020 underwent various adjustments considering that it was held in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Various mechanisms must be simplified and implement health protocols, beginning by washing hands before entering the UTBK room to wearing a mask during the UTBK process.

 Universitas Pembangunan Nasional ‘Veteran’ Yogyakarta (UPNVY) is one of universities holding UTBK in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. To maintain the security and safety of the academic community and prospective new students, the exam supervisors at UPNVY wear personal protective equipment (PPE).

"That's good. The SOP given by the UTBK committee is minimal SOP. When universities can provide more than that, we appreciate it," said the Plt. General Director of Higher Education Ministry of Education and Culture (Dirjen Dikti Kemendikbud), Nizam, when examining the implementation of UTBK at UPNVY, Sunday (07/12/2020).

He also checked that the prospective students were served well and save 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 cocern.

"We want to make sure that everyone followed the protocols. Thank God until the 8th day, it went well, the participants were also above 95% present, this is much higher than last year in terms of percentage," he said.

The UPNVY Chancellor, Mohamad Irhas Effendi, said that the average attendance at UTBK was more than 95%. Today, Sunday (7/12/2020), there are 4 prospective new students who did not attend the UTBK.

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.

"We have implemented the health protocols as well as to the supervisors and the ICT team; they wore the complete PPE," said Irhas.

"We report that the UTBK implementation at UPN which, thank God, all went well, with an average attendance of at least 95%," he continued.

UPNVY also requested support from the Ministry of Education and Culture to improve the quality of human resources (HR) in term of education. This will certainly have an impact on the national development.

"We always ask for support from the General Director to always be able to improve this service in order to improve the quality of human resources," said Irhas.