Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) continues to play an active role in supporting national programs related to education and community empowerment. During the Coordination Meeting (Rakor) of the Forum of Teacher Education Institutions (LPTK) Rectors in Indonesia, held in Makassar on May 22, 2023, UNNES, along with other LPTKs, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos).
The Rector of UNNES, Prof. S. Martono, M.So., emphasized that this synergy reflects UNNES’ commitment to supporting the government in addressing various societal challenges, particularly education and poverty.
“As a university with a strategic role in producing educators, UNNES is committed to contributing actively through strengthening knowledge and technology transfer that meets the needs of society,” said Prof. Martono.
Minister of Social Affairs, Dr. (HC) Ir. Hj. Tri Rismaharini, M.T., stated during the meeting that collaboration between Kemensos and LPTKs is crucial in facing challenges in education and poverty. She underscored the importance of universities, including UNNES, in creating educated and skilled human resources to combat poverty.
“Through this collaboration, universities can play an important role in social empowerment and social protection, particularly in remote areas and Isolated Indigenous Communities (KAT),” said Risma.
UNNES, as one of the 19 LPTKs in attendance, agreed to implement several strategic programs, including developing parenting modules for parents and disability management in remote and disadvantaged areas.
The coordination meeting was attended by various university leaders and key figures, including the Acting Director General of Higher Education at the Ministry of Education and Culture, Prof. Ir. Nizam, M.Sc., Ph.D., who encouraged more vital collaboration between universities and society through the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program. This synergy will enable lecturers and students to engage in broader involvement in addressing the social issues communities face.
With the strengthening collaboration between UNNES and various government institutions, the university continues to assert its position as an academic institution that excels not only in education but also in actively addressing social challenges in Indonesia.
