Yogyakarta, April 25, 2025 — Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) successfully concluded its annual Pelatihan Dasar (Foundational Training) for new supporting staff (Tenaga Kependidikan) in early 2025. The training, which took place across multiple sessions from February 12–17 and 28, and continued on April 17, 22–23, was designed to equip newly recruited staff members with essential knowledge, values, and competencies to support UGM’s mission as a leading university in Indonesia.
This year, the training program adopted a hybrid learning format, combining both online and offline components to maximize accessibility and engagement. A total of 171 participants joined the program, with the majority (73%) being female staff and a significant 98% falling within the 20–30 years age group. Most participants hailed from faculty and school units (92%), while the remainder were from central administrative offices.
Strengthening Institutional Values and Staff Capabilities
The training content was carefully curated to reflect UGM’s core values and institutional culture. Sessions included modules such as Actualizing UGM Values at Work, Becoming a Character-Driven and Impactful Employee, Effective Communication in Public Service, Understanding Organizational Structure and Governance, and Career Development for Supporting Staff.
“Through this program, we aim to instill not only technical competence but also a deep understanding of the values that define UGM,” said Dr. Sumaryono, M.Si., one of the program facilitators. “Supporting staff play a critical role in delivering excellent service and enabling the academic community to thrive.”
High-profile speakers including Prof. Dr. Eng. Kuwat Triyana, M.Si. (Rector of UGM), Prof. drg. Suryono, Ph.D., S.H., and Dr. Heri Santoso, S.S., M.Hum., among others, engaged participants through lectures, discussions, and inspirational sessions. Their involvement added depth and credibility to the learning experience.
Positive Reception and Constructive Feedback
Feedback gathered from post-training evaluations indicated a high level of satisfaction among participants. Over 90% of respondents rated most sessions and speakers with the highest score. Participants appreciated the clarity of the materials, relevance to their roles, and the overall organization of the program.
“This training has been incredibly insightful and motivating. It gave me a better understanding of UGM’s values and how I can contribute meaningfully in my role,” shared one participant in the feedback form.
The Building Collaborative Team activity, held in-person, was highlighted as one of the most enjoyable segments, fostering camaraderie and cross-unit networking among participants. However, some participants suggested a longer duration for this session to fully explore the benefits of team-building.
Despite the overall success, a few areas for improvement were identified. Some participants found group assignments less effective due to differences in unit-specific challenges, and suggested forming groups based on similar work environments. Others highlighted the need for more interactive discussions during in-person sessions and better integration between offline and online content.
Participants also recommended scheduling the training closer to their initial employment date, preferably during onboarding, to avoid clashes with growing workloads in their respective units.
A Commitment to Continuous Improvement
In response to participant feedback, the Directorate of Human Resources at UGM reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing future training programs. “We are grateful for the candid insights shared by our participants. Their input is vital for us to improve the design, delivery, and timing of our programs,” said a representative from the organizing committee.
The evaluation results showed that over 80% of participants found the curriculum, materials, facilities, and learning platforms such as eLOK and Zoom to be well-managed and supportive of their learning experience. Recommendations for further improvement include simplifying access to online content, extending deadlines for certain assignments, and providing clearer instructions for assessments.
Looking Ahead
The Pelatihan Dasar Tendik 2025 has proven to be more than just an orientation—it was a strategic effort to embed UGM’s values and professionalism in the university’s supporting staff from the very beginning of their careers. By empowering new staff members with relevant knowledge, networks, and a sense of purpose, UGM strengthens its foundation for sustainable institutional development.
As UGM continues to innovate in talent development and institutional culture, programs like Latsar will remain a cornerstone of its human capital strategy.
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(HR/Rista)
