As part of the implementation of the cooperation agreement between the Science Education Study Program of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) and the Science Education Study Program of Universitas Bengkulu, the exchange of thesis examiners has begun. Putri Anjarsari, S.Si., M.Pd., a lecturer from UNY Science Education, acted as an examiner in the proposal seminar of Bengkulu University Science Education students on behalf of Dara Violita. Dara Violita, who is also a participant in the Merdeka Learning Campus Merdeka (MBKM) Research Assistance program, presented her thesis proposal entitled “Development of LKPD with the Potential of Nipah Briquettes as an Environmentally Friendly Technology”. In her presentation, Dara explained the potential of nipah husk as an environmentally friendly briquette material and how the development of LKPD (Learner Worksheets) can integrate this technology into science learning.

Bengkulu University has several pathways for student graduation, including the thesis pathway and the research-based MBKM pathway. The research-based MBKM program allows students to graduate through research activities under the umbrella of lecturer research, producing outputs in the form of scientific articles recognized by Sinta 3 national journals, as well as educational products such as IPR or ISBN. In its second year of implementation, 21 students have successfully graduated through this pathway. In the first year, students do not need to conduct a proposal seminar because they are already involved in research under the lecturer's theme, only need to pre-submit articles. However, in the second year, students are required to conduct a proposal seminar after completing the content research, and develop the LKPD from the research results.  This collaboration is expected to improve the quality of research and learning at both universities, as well as provide valuable experience for students and lecturers involved.