UMS Rector Stresses OBE as Key Focus at ALPTK PTMA National Meeting in Lampung

Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) has reaffirmed its role in strengthening Muhammadiyah higher education through its active participation in the 17th National Working Meeting (Rakernas) of the Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah Teacher Training Association (ALPTK PTMA) in Lampung. The event, which focused on Outcome-Based Education (OBE), was held concurrently with the 12th ProfunEdu in 2026. Attended by leaders of Muhammadiyah higher education institutions from across Indonesia, the forum was described by ALPTK PTMA Chairman and UMS Rector Prof. Dr. Harun Joko Prayitno as a strategic moment to strengthen the transformation of teacher education through the implementation of OBE, enhance research, and boost graduate competitiveness. The opening ceremony took place at the Mahan Agung official residence of the Governor of Lampung on Thursday, 25 June 2026, and was attended by the Governor of Lampung, Rahmat Mirzani Djausal, and Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr. Fajar Riza Ul Haq, MA, among other officials. Harun explained that the annual meeting, previously held in Australia, Bali, and Taiwan, serves not only as a networking platform but also as a strategic space to formulate the direction of ALPTK PTMA in response to evolving educational challenges. He stated that the forum reinforces the commitment to implementing OBE, improving the quality of educational research, and preparing graduates with global competencies. For UMS, the meeting underscores its commitment to leading adaptive teacher education transformation that is oriented towards learning outcomes and producing excellent, high-integrity, and globally competitive graduates. The agenda also included strategic discussions on strengthening outcome-based curricula, learning innovation, research collaboration, and the internationalisation of Muhammadiyah higher education. Governor Rahmat Mirzani Djausal expressed his appreciation for the event and voiced hope that collaboration between the regional government, Muhammadiyah, and universities would improve the quality of higher education and increase Lampung’s gross enrolment rate, which remains below the national average. Deputy Minister Fajar Riza Ul Haq outlined the government’s policy direction for the teaching profession, confirming that there will be no more honorary teachers in state schools as all recruitment will be conducted through the ASN PPPK scheme. He also announced a new certification policy whereby graduates of education programmes will no longer be required to undergo Professional Teacher Education (PPG) and can instead obtain a teaching certificate directly with their S1 or D4 degree. The PPG programme will be reserved for non-education graduates teaching in their respective fields. The meeting is expected to further strengthen ALPTK PTMA’s position as a driver of quality improvement in Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah teacher training institutions.