UNS — The Rector of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, officially opened the forum of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) executive board in Indonesia. The forum was hosted by UNS on Saturday (29/1/2022) in UNS Inn and was attended by 32 Deans of FKIP in Indonesia. The Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho; Director-General of Teacher and Academic Staff, Dr. Iwan Syahril, Ph.D.; and Chairman of FKIP Forum Indonesia, Prof. Mahdum, also attended the occasion.
In his opening remark, the Dean of FKIP UNS, Dr. Mardiyana, stated that from 1 April 2022, the programs in the educational field would have an independent accreditation board. Therefore, coordination is needed to reach common ground among all universities in Indonesia.
“We work together, motivate, and share the management of programs offered in each FKIP. Particularly in preparing teachers,” Dr. Mardiyana mentioned. He also underlined the diversity of Indonesia’s regions from the west to the east that is bound to have different issues. “Thus, policies that match the real condition are needed,” he added.
The Chairman of FKIP Dean Communication Forum Indonesia, Prof. Mahdum, also emphasized the need to reach a middle ground and build synergy among FKIP leaders. He also explained that the current forum has four main agendas, including the role of Lembaga Pendidikan Tenaga Kependidikan (LPTK) in building synergy to solve learning loss during the pandemic.
“Teachers must have literacy, especially in social awareness and communication. Students also need improvement in digital skill and creativity,” Prof. Mahdum stated.
The Mayor of Surakarta, Gibran Rakabuming, delivered an opening remark through a video recording and underlined the need for the teacher to utilize technology in supporting their learning process amid the Covid-19 pandemic. “Give a good example for students because we are experiencing a rapidly changing life. The industrial revolution also changes teachers’ roles and duties. I fully welcomed this forum,” Gibran stated. He also hoped that the forum could propose significant recommendations for the educational world in Indonesia.
The Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, also supported the statement and mentioned that all elements of an educational institution need to be agile in facing various problems, including rapid changes. “It seems that future schools will be filled with young intellectual people who combine science and digital skills through creative and explorative learning. Therefore, we need to prepare future teachers to be the motors of those future schools by providing independence and opportunities to learn and prepare the future for their students,” Prof. Jamal mentioned.
Prof. Jamal also shared his expectation that Pendidikan Profesi Guru (PPG) (professional education for teachers) could bring new programs and innovations that are relevant to the future needs of teachers and schools. Humas UNS
Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti