UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta has officially launched the 2025 Basic Teaching Skills Enhancement Program (PKDP)—a national initiative aimed at equipping 223 early-career lecturers from across Indonesia with essential academic, pedagogical, and ethical competencies. Participants hail from diverse regions such as Yogyakarta, Central Java, Kendari, Manado, and Papua, reflecting the program’s broad and inclusive reach.

The program, running from July 21 to July 30, is organized by the university’s Quality Assurance Institute (LPM) in close collaboration with the Directorate of Islamic Higher Education (Diktis) and the Directorate of Islamic Education (Pendis) under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Republic of Indonesia.

A Hybrid Format for a Diverse Nation

The PKDP 2025 is delivered in a hybrid format, combining in-person sessions held at the University Hotel with virtual classes via Zoom. According to Prof. Ir. Dwi Agustina Kurniawati, Ph.D., Head of LPM, the training is structured into three main stages:

“We begin with an In-Service Course (ISC) from July 21–23, followed by six days of assignments and expert-led sessions, and conclude with an exposition where participants will present and be evaluated,” she explained.

Two offline classes are being conducted on-site at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, while four online classes serve participants from various regions across the archipelago.

More Than Training—A Professional Foundation

In his keynote address, Rector Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan emphasized that PKDP is more than a routine training—it is a strategic foundation for professionalism in the academic world.

“Becoming a lecturer is no ordinary job. In our constitution, lecturers are nearly described as half-angel. This profession requires transformation—of thought, behavior, and vision,” he declared.

Prof. Noorhaidi outlined five core competencies that every professional lecturer must possess:

• Academic Mastery: Deep knowledge of one’s field, plus the ability to generate and transfer new knowledge.
• Pedagogical Skills: The capacity to lead interactive, student-centered learning.
• Personal Integrity: Patience, discipline, kindness, and moral conduct.
• Leadership and Citizenship: Inspiring students and engaging with society.
• Sociocultural Competence: Respecting and navigating diversity in a pluralistic society.

“Our academic journey must be driven by big dreams. Every young lecturer should aspire to become a full professor,” Noorhaidi concluded.

Message from the Ministry: Lecturers Must Go Beyond the Classroom

Also present at the opening ceremony, Director General of Islamic Education, Prof. Dr. Suyitno, M.Ag., delivered a strong message to all participants:

“PKDP is the first step in becoming a truly professional lecturer. It’s more than just knowing how to teach—it’s about knowing how to think globally, act ethically, and engage meaningfully with both national and international challenges,” he said.

Prof. Suyitno emphasized that lecturers today must not be trapped in repetitive routines but should be globally literate and locally responsive, capable of contextualizing their academic roles in a fast-changing world.

Content That Equips, Curriculum That Matters

The PKDP 2025 curriculum includes training in:

• Course planning and evaluation
• Semester Learning Plan (RPS) development
• Academic publication and writing
• Religious moderation
• Integration of Islamic and scientific knowledge

Participants who complete the program will receive a certificate, which serves as an essential requirement in the lecturer certification process nationwide.

A National Academic Ecosystem in the Making

The program features respected scholars and education leaders, including Prof. Amin Abdullah, Prof. Dr. Phil. Sahiron, and other senior academics from across the country. Their involvement signals UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s commitment to building an ecosystem of competent, ethical, and future-ready lecturers.

This initiative underscores the university’s dedication to producing educators who are not only subject-matter experts but also moral leaders and societal contributors—prepared to tackle the challenges of knowledge production, civilizational development, and national progress. (humassk)