Center of Language and General Science (LB-IPU) is one of the new working units at Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta, established based on the Rector’s Decree Number 088/IV/2021 regarding the appointment of the head of the Center of Language and General Science, dated June 30, 2021.
LB-IPU is a metamorphosis of an institution that was named the Institute for Basic Science and Language Development (LPIDB) from 2013 to 2021. LPIDB was a merger of two existing institutions, namely the Institute for the Development of Basic Sciences (LPID) and the Language Center (LC). LPID, founded in 2004, initially had the task of managing the implementation of general course lectures and Al-Islam and Kemuhammadiyahan; meanwhile, LC, established in 1993 based on the Rector’s Decree of Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta Number 38/IV/1993 dated October 1, 1993, initially managed the implementation of English language lectures as part of general courses. In 2013, the university leadership reorganized the institutions by establishing a new institute to handle the lectures on Al-Islam and Kemuhammadiyahan, named the Institute for the Development of Al-Islam and Kemuhammadiyahan (LPIK), now renamed the Institute for the Development of Pondok, Al-Islam, and Kemuhammadiyahan (LPPIK), under the coordination of the Vice Rector IV. At the same time, the organization of general course lectures was combined with the organization of language lectures in the Institute for Basic Science and Language Development (LPIDB).
Initially, LPIDB consisted of two development fields: (1) the Development of Basic Science and (2) the Development of Language. The field of Basic Science Development was responsible for the implementation of general basic course learning, consisting of (1) Civic Education (2-3 credits), (2) Basic Social Cultural Sciences (2-3 credits), (3) Basic Natural Sciences (2-3 credits), and (4) Indonesian Language (2-3 credits). The Language Development field was responsible for the implementation of general English language learning (4 credits). When Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta updated the curriculum by adapting the Indonesian National Qualifications Framework (KKNI), General Basic Courses were changed to three: (1) Pancasila Education, (2) Civic Education, and (3) Indonesian Language. In 2018, the LPIDB structure was developed into three development fields: (1) Basic Science Development, (2) Language Learning Development, and (3) Language Services Development.
The leadership of the Language Center, from its establishment until its merger into LB-IPU, proceeded as follows. In the period 1993-1996, LC was led by the chairperson and secretary, Ms. Endang Fauziati and Mr. Djoko Srijono. In the period 1996-2000, the leadership of LC was continued by Ms. Dwi Haryanti and Mr. Abdillah Nugroho. In the period 2000-2004, LC was led by Mr. Djoko Srijono and Mr. Anam Sutopo as secretary. In the period 2004-2006, LC was led by Mr. Nurhadi and Ms. Muamaroh. In the period 2007-2008, LC was led by Ms. Muamaroh and Ms. Siti Fatimah. In the period 2008-2013, when it became LPIDB again, the institution was led by Ms. Endang Fauziati and assisted by Mr. Syakuri. In the period 2013-2017, LPIDB was led by Mr. M. Thoyibi (chairperson) and Mr. Samino Immawan (secretary), Mr. Agus Wijayanto (head of language learning and services), later replaced by Ms. Dwi Haryanti, and Mr. Sami’an (head of general course development). In the period 2017-2021, LPIDB was led by Mr. M. Thoyibi (chairperson), Ms. Dwi Haryanti (head of language learning development), Ms. Yeny Prastiwi (head of language services development), and Mr. Achmad Muthali’in (head of general course development). In the leadership period 2021-2025, when LPIDB changed its name to LB-IPU, the institution was led by Mr. M. Thoyibi as the head of the institution, Ms. Dwi Haryanti (head of language learning development), Mr. Abdillah Nugroho (head of language services development), and Mr. Yakub Nasucha, later replaced by Mr. Agus Budi Wahyudi (head of general course development) because Mr. Yakub Nasucha entered retirement. Structurally, Center of Language and General Science (LB-IPU) did not undergo many changes from the organizational structure of the Institute for Basic Science and Language Development (LPIDB). However, functionally, LB-IPU provides a more balanced development between the fields of learning, services, and general courses.