Yogyakarta, May 28, 2025 – Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has strengthened its commitment to capacity building for educational staff by organizing the Introductory Accounting Training through MOOC UGM Online, complemented by synchronous Zoom sessions. Held on May 26–28, 2025, the training was attended by 221 participants from across faculties, schools, and central administrative offices, underscoring UGM’s dedication to equipping staff with essential financial literacy and administrative skills.
The program was designed to provide participants—many of whom are responsible for finance and administration in their units—with a solid foundation in accounting principles. This knowledge is vital for ensuring accountability, transparency, and efficiency in financial management across the university’s diverse operations.
Strong Participation Across Units and Demographics
The training attracted a diverse group of participants. 63% were female and 37% male, reflecting balanced gender representation. The largest age groups were 41–50 years (33%) and 31–40 years (31%), followed by 20–30 years (25%) and over 51 years (11%). Educational backgrounds also varied, with 53.9% holding Bachelor’s degrees, 20.4% Diplomas, 17.2% senior high school, and 8.1% Master’s degrees.
From the employment perspective, the majority of participants were UGM staff (67.4%), alongside civil servants (25%) and UGM employees under contract (7.7%). Representation was broad, with 58% from the Central Administration Office (KPTU) and 42% from faculties and schools, ensuring that the training addressed the needs of both central and academic units.
High Ratings for Content and Delivery
The main facilitator, Prof. Dr. Sony Warsono, M.B.A., Akt., was highly praised for his expertise and delivery, with over 81% of participants rating his sessions as very good. The materials themselves were rated as “very relevant” and “easy to understand” by 84.7% of respondents, confirming that the training content met participant expectations.
Participants expressed enthusiasm about the usefulness of the training. One respondent shared, “The materials were very relevant and easy to understand, especially for participants without an accounting background.” Another added, “This training refreshed my knowledge and opened new insights into financial management.”
Flexibility and Innovation Through MOOC UGM Online
A key highlight was the innovative use of MOOC UGM Online, which allowed participants to access materials anytime, anywhere, at their own pace. Over 82% agreed that the platform gave them the flexibility to learn according to their own rhythm, while 80.8% praised the user-friendliness of the system. Zoom was also effective for live discussions, with 78.3% strongly agreeing that the platform supported the sessions well.
Participants valued the blended format for balancing independent learning and interactive sessions. As one commented, “I am happy to learn whenever and wherever without limits—this format really supports lifelong learning.”
Constructive Feedback for Future Training
While feedback was overwhelmingly positive, participants suggested several improvements. Some recommended more interactive methods such as case studies and practical exercises, as well as extending the training duration for deeper mastery. A few also suggested offline or hybrid formats to complement the online system, while technical notes included enhancing audio clarity and providing quicker feedback on quizzes.
Participants also voiced strong interest in follow-up training, requesting modules on Intermediate and Advanced Accounting, Auditing, Financial Reporting, and Specialized UGM financial systems. There was also demand for broader skill-building such as advanced Excel, taxation, and digital finance applications.
Building a Culture of Accountability and Professionalism
The Introductory Accounting Training not only provided practical knowledge but also reinforced UGM’s institutional commitment to strengthening professionalism and accountability in financial management. By equipping staff with both conceptual and technical understanding, UGM ensures that its workforce remains adaptive, capable, and aligned with the university’s mission of excellence.
The evaluation results reflected this success: over 75% rated the curriculum, schedule, and facilities as very good, while 83.7% commended the committee’s professionalism and support. Comments such as “This training was excellent, useful, and should be continued with more advanced modules” highlight the participants’ eagerness for sustained learning.
With this initiative, UGM has set a strong precedent for leveraging digital platforms like MOOC in staff development programs, ensuring that training remains accessible, impactful, and future-oriented.
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(HR/Rista)
