Yogyakarta, May 2025 – Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing human resource development by successfully hosting the Basic Leadership Training: Techniques for Guiding Small Teams in the Academic Environment. The program, organized by the Directorate of Human Resources, was conducted online via Zoom Meetings on April 25 and May 9, 2025, and drew strong participation from staff across faculties, schools, and the Central Administration Office (KPTU).
This specialized training was designed to equip educational staff with essential leadership skills, particularly in managing small teams effectively within the academic setting. As UGM continues to prioritize professional excellence among its staff, such initiatives play a vital role in ensuring that employees are not only competent in their technical fields but also capable of guiding and coordinating teams to achieve institutional goals.
Broad Participation and Equal Representation
The training attracted participants with diverse professional and educational backgrounds. Notably, the gender balance was evenly split, with 50% male and 50% female staff joining the sessions. The majority of participants fell within the 41–50 age group (61%), while those aged 31–40 years (18%) and over 51 years (17%) also made up a significant portion, reflecting UGM’s focus on continuous development across career stages. Educational backgrounds varied, with 51% holding a Bachelor’s degree, followed by 25% Master’s degree holders, 15% with high school education, and smaller portions from diploma and professional programs.
In terms of employment categories, 52% of participants were civil servants (PNS), while 48% were permanent staff of the university, ensuring that leadership training reached a broad spectrum of UGM’s workforce. Participants were also nearly evenly split between faculty/school units (51%) and the Central Administration Office (49%).
Strong Evaluations on Content and Delivery
The program received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants. Over 78% agreed that the curriculum was highly relevant to their professional needs, while 81% stated that the materials were up-to-date with current leadership and management practices. Sessions covering topics such as Effective Coordination of Small Teams, Managing Tasks and People, Interaction Tips for Leaders, Providing Feedback, and Cross-Team Collaboration were rated “very useful” by more than 80% of respondents.
The facilitators also received praise for their engaging delivery. Dr. Anton Sudarisman, M.M., and RR. Tur Nastiti, M.Si., Ph.D., were both recognized as highly effective speakers, with more than 85% of participants rating their presentations as very easy to understand.
Meanwhile, the event organizers also earned commendations, with 98% of respondents appreciating the professionalism, responsiveness, and supportive communication provided by the training committee.
Suggestions for Future Improvement
While the online format was effective in ensuring broad participation, many participants expressed a preference for hybrid or in-person training in the future. About 34% favored offline sessions, while 28% recommended a hybrid model that would balance online theory with offline practical sessions. Participants also suggested extending the duration of the program and incorporating more discussion sessions and case studies to strengthen practical applications.
Feedback highlighted the training’s importance:
- “The materials were excellent, but more time is needed to explore the topics in depth.”
- “Practical, face-to-face sessions would allow better networking and problem-solving among staff.”
- “This training gave me new insights into how to work more effectively in a team environment.”
A Step Forward in Leadership Development
The Basic Leadership Training underscores UGM’s proactive role in developing its staff beyond technical competencies. By focusing on leadership at the small-team level, the university is cultivating a culture of collaboration, responsibility, and effective coordination among its employees.
The Directorate of Human Resources plans to use the feedback from this program to refine future initiatives, with particular emphasis on incorporating more interactive elements and advanced leadership modules. With the success of this training, UGM has once again demonstrated its dedication to building a capable, resilient, and forward-thinking academic community.
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(HR/Rista)
