In support of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) actively extends its educational services beyond enrolled students. As part of its mission as a conservation and inclusive university, UNNES regularly organizes open short courses and vocational training programs for members of the general public. These programs are designed to enhance professional skills, community empowerment, and global collaboration, ensuring that education at UNNES remains accessible to everyone regardless of institutional affiliation.
Open Access to Executive and Vocational Learning
UNNES’s open education initiatives cater to a diverse range of participants, including community members, school representatives, company officials, executives, law enforcement officers, government staff, and vocational students. The programs are inclusive of both domestic and international participants, reflecting UNNES’s growing role as a center for lifelong learning. By hosting these open courses on campus and through its outreach initiatives, UNNES bridges academic knowledge with practical skills that address real-world challenges in professional, industrial, and social contexts.
Diverse and Relevant Training Themes
The training programs cover a wide array of topics that are both locally relevant and globally applicable. Subjects include finance, psychology and counseling, waste management, taxation, national security, culture, and eco-conservation. Each topic is carefully designed to meet the evolving needs of participants and society, focusing on skill-building, innovation, and sustainable development. This diversity of themes ensures that participants—from government workers to community entrepreneurs—can apply the knowledge gained directly to their respective fields.
Examples of Specialized Training Initiatives
A number of notable programs highlight UNNES’s commitment to inclusive and impactful learning. For example, Central Java government officials have participated in training on productive waste management, equipping them to implement environmentally responsible practices within their regions. The Brevet A and Brevet B tax certification programs are open to the general public, helping individuals and professionals gain national certification in taxation and improve financial literacy.
Meanwhile, digital financial literacy and psychological readiness training have been provided for vocational interns preparing to work in Japan, supporting their adaptation and resilience in international environments. UNNES also offers training on digital law to help citizens understand legal frameworks in the digital era, and eco-conservation workshops in Ngesrepbalong Village, focusing on sustainable craft production and environmental awareness.
International Collaboration and Cultural Exchange
Expanding beyond national borders, UNNES has also hosted international participants through its summer course programs. In 2024, a summer course brought together 50 participants from 19 countries, including Libya, Gambia, United States of America, Yemen, Cambodia, Sudan, Thailand, Philippines, Nigeria, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Tunisia, Kazakhstan, Syria, India, Ghana, Timor-Leste, Egypt, and Tajikistan. This diversity is the spirit of UNNES in embracing cultural differences and encouraging cross-cultural understanding among international students. This program focused on Indonesian culture, offering hands-on learning experiences in traditional dance, gamelan music, batik making, and eco-printing. These activities not only promote cultural understanding but also serve as an avenue for global collaboration and educational diplomacy, showcasing UNNES’s leadership in integrating local wisdom with international learning.
Through its comprehensive executive and vocational training initiatives, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) continues to embody the principles of SDG 4 by providing lifelong learning opportunities for all. Its programs connect knowledge, culture, and practice—empowering individuals to improve their professional and personal competencies while contributing to sustainable community development. By offering open, inclusive, and globally connected learning experiences, UNNES reinforces its role as a university dedicated to education without boundaries, ensuring that learning remains accessible, practical, and transformative for everyone.
