Yogyakarta, June 10, 2025 – Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has reaffirmed its position as a pioneer in digital transformation by successfully organizing the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training Series: Basic Class for its lecturers and educational staff. The training, held asynchronously via MOOC UGM Online from June 2–4, 2025, and continued with a synchronous Zoom session on June 10, 2025, attracted 349 participants, consisting of 90% educational staff and 10% lecturers, with representation from both central administration units (59%) and faculties/schools (41%).
The program aimed to provide participants with fundamental knowledge of artificial intelligence—its concepts, applications, and future potential—while equipping UGM’s human resources with the competencies necessary to thrive in the era of digital disruption.
Diverse Participation Across Age and Education Levels
The training brought together a wide range of participants, showcasing UGM’s inclusivity and commitment to lifelong learning. Male participants made up 61%, while female participants accounted for 39%. The largest age group was 41–50 years (35%), followed by 31–40 years (31%), over 51 years (14%), and 20–30 years (20%).
In terms of education, more than half of the participants held Bachelor’s degrees (52%), followed by Master’s (16.7%), Diplomas (14%), Doctoral (6.9%), and high school graduates (9.2%). This mix illustrated the wide relevance of AI training across different academic and professional backgrounds.
High Praise for Curriculum and Instructors
The main facilitator, Dr.Eng. Sunu Wibirama, S.T., M.Eng., received outstanding evaluations, with more than 85% of participants giving him a perfect score for mastery and delivery. The topics were also well aligned with participant needs, with 80% rating the materials as highly appropriate and relevant.
Feedback highlighted the clarity and systematic approach of the curriculum, with one participant stating, “This training introduced AI concepts in a structured way that was easy to follow, even for beginners.” Another participant noted, “The materials were very relevant and useful for supporting our daily work.” Many likened the experience to “going back to college,” emphasizing the engaging and intellectually stimulating nature of the sessions.
Effective Use of MOOC and Online Platforms
The innovative use of MOOC UGM Online proved to be a key strength of the program. More than 71% of participants strongly agreed that the platform was user-friendly, intuitive, and allowed them to learn flexibly at their own pace. The ability to revisit materials, access all content in one place, and balance learning with work commitments was particularly appreciated.
Complementary live sessions via Zoom provided opportunities for interaction, Q&A, and real-time engagement, with over 72% of participants strongly agreeing that the facilities supported the learning process effectively.
As one participant reflected, “With MOOC, we could study anytime and anywhere without limits—this is the future of learning.”
Strong Satisfaction with Organization and Implementation
The professionalism of the organizing committee was also widely praised, with 76% giving the highest rating for their responsiveness, courtesy, and efficiency. The training schedule and duration were considered appropriate, with more than 64% strongly agreeing that the curriculum was systematic and aligned with current developments.
While the overall evaluation was overwhelmingly positive, participants provided constructive suggestions such as extending the training duration, incorporating more practical exercises, and tailoring some materials to the specific job contexts of educational staff.
Demand for Advanced AI and Related Competencies
The success of this training has sparked strong interest in follow-up modules. Participants expressed enthusiasm for advanced AI topics, including Applied AI in the workplace, Python programming for AI, ethical AI, large language models, and data analysis. Others highlighted the need for broader skill sets in information technology, office administration, multimedia, communication, finance, and leadership—demonstrating how AI training intersects with multiple professional domains.
Building Momentum for Digital Transformation at UGM
Overall, the AI Training Series: Basic Class received nearly 80% top ratings for the program as a whole, reflecting the strong relevance and impact of the initiative. Participants described it as “very useful,” “enlightening,” and “an excellent foundation for continuous learning.”
One participant summarized the collective sentiment: “The training was already excellent, but it would be even better if tailored to our job contexts. I am looking forward to the next level.”
By successfully introducing its academic community to the fundamentals of AI, UGM is not only preparing its workforce for the future but also reinforcing its role as a leader in digital innovation and human resource development in Indonesian higher education.
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(HR/Rista)
