Student Teacher Aesthetic Role-sharing (STAR): A Local-wisdom Based Approach to Build Graduate"s Character

A Student-Centered Learning (SCL) began to be realized and implemented in Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) since 2004. One of the important aspects in SCL concerns the shifting role of the teacher, from the only main source of information, to a facilitator and a learning partner. UGM realizes that this role need to be improved, to bring SCL to be in harmony with the principles of Patrap Triloka, a local-wisdom based three main teacher behaviors: “at the front providing a model, in the middle creating an intention, and at the back giving constructive support.” The principles of SCL and Patrap Triloka have inspired UGM to build a program called Student Teacher Aesthetic Role-sharing (STAR). Basically, STAR is an activity to lead student to a closer and harmonious academic relationship. By implementing STAR, it is expected that: 1) students will feel comfortable communicating with their teachers, and at the same time, teachers will guide their students more intensively; 2) a conducive academic atmosphere is created and produces more independent, creative and innovative students; and 3) teachers will be more concerned on the academic development of the students individually. The STAR could be seen as an effort to build a harmonized relationship between student-teacher of UGM towards a Master Dignity. The effort to implement STAR in UGM is similar to building a culture, therefore it should be done gradually and patiently. The implementation consists of the following stages: 1) Establishment of a team to produce an academic paper regarding the main ideas of SCLPlus (STAR); 2) Socialization of academic paper of STAR to the relevant parties; 3) Providing competitive grants for the implementation of STAR. The grant winners have to implement STAR in their learning process and evaluate it; 4) Dissemination to other teachers within UGM. This activity is designed to create a multiplier effect. Furthermore, dissemination of STAR to other universities in Indonesia will be carried out, to achieve one of UGM‟s mission to increase the academic quality of higher education in Indonesia. By STAR, it is expected that high quality of graduates will be achieved both in UGM as well as in other universities in Indonesia.