UNS – Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta organized a public lecture on the Rural Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) on Friday (23/8/2023). The theme of the event was “Village Empowerment Strategies to Achieve Indonesia’s Golden Generation”. The participants were RPL students currently studying at UNS.
As one of the members of the Forum for Higher Education for Villages (Pertides), UNS collaborated with the Ministry of Village, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration (Kemendes PDTT), as well as the Regional Government (Pemda) of Bojonegoro to improve the quality of human resources (HR). This collaboration was based on the report by UNS RPL Coordinator, Prof. Sarwanto, S.Pd., M.Sc., where these efforts were realized through the RPL Program in the Master’s Study Program (Prodi) in Educational Technology, Sociology, Agribusiness, Civil Engineering, and Development Counseling.
“We have a total of 110 students with a study period of 2 semesters. Currently, the students have completed their first-semester studies and are about to enter the second semester. The academic achievement up to this point involves the proposal seminar process. It is expected that next semester, the students will complete their studies at UNS,” Prof. Sarwanto explained.
Acting Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs UNS, Prof. Dr. Ir. Ahmad Yunus, M.S., explained that UNS is ready to fulfill its obligations in developing and implementing the three pillars of higher education. UNS has a wealth of experience in education through various modes, both offline and online, supported by highly capable human resources and excellent facilities.
“To UNS RPL students, I hope you remain enthusiastic, work hard in studying and producing, conducting research, and writing scientific articles so that you can complete your master’s studies at UNS in a timely and quality manner,” Prof. Yunus hoped.
The public lecture was delivered directly by the Head of Human Resources Development (BPSDM) and Rural Community Empowerment, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration (PMDTT), Prof. Dr. Luthfiyah Nurlaela, M.Pd. She is also a lecturer at Universitas Negeri Surabaya (Unesa). In this lecture, Prof. Luthfiyah mentioned that the purpose of the public lecture was to maximize the implementation of the Rural Recognition of Prior Learning Program.
According to Prof. Luthfiyah, rural development and community empowerment align with the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2020-2024. There are four strategic reference points according to the RPJMN: human resource development, infrastructure, regulatory simplification, and bureaucracy simplification.
The program prepared by the Ministry of of Village, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration (Kemendes PDTT) also synergizes with Pertides. Kemendes PDTT collaborates with several universities and regional governments in its implementation. This program provides opportunities for village chiefs and village officials, members of the Village Consultative Body, professional assistant staff, Village Community Empowerment Cadres (KPMD), joint Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) staff, village community organization/indigenous village organization officials, and other village activists to pursue higher education at the undergraduate and master’s levels through the RPL scheme. One such collaboration is between the Kemendes PDTT, UNS, and Bojonegoro Regency in the master’s program.
Humas UNS
Reporter: R. P. Adji
Editor: Dwi Hastuti