Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing educational excellence through the inauguration of four new professors during its Dies Natalis celebration. This milestone reflects UNNES’ consistent efforts to enhance the quality of its human resources and to strengthen the institution’s contributions to the advancement of knowledge, research, and community engagement.
In his address, the Rector of UNNES expressed pride and appreciation for the distinguished academic achievements of the newly appointed professors. The rank of professor represents the highest academic position for university faculty members and signifies outstanding accomplishment in fulfilling the tridharma of higher education, education, research, and community service.
Beyond its academic distinction, the title carries a profound responsibility to serve as a source of inspiration, a driver of innovation, and a role model for the academic community.
Each of the four professors has demonstrated a strong academic track record within their respective fields.
Prof. Dr. Bestari Dwi Handayani, S.E., M.Si., Professor of Public Sector Accounting at the Faculty of Economics and Business, has developed expertise in equitable, transparent, and sustainable governance of Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes). Through her research and community engagement initiatives, she promotes collaboration among stakeholders to advance inclusive and sustainability-oriented rural development.
In the field of linguistics, Prof. Dr. Sri Rejeki Urip, M.Hum., Professor of Pragmatics at the Faculty of Languages and Arts, has introduced innovative approaches to language education by emphasizing precision of meaning and contextual understanding. Her work enriches language learning by fostering approaches that are contextual, human-centered, and responsive to contemporary communication dynamics.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Bernadus Wahyudi Joko Santoso, M.Hum., Professor of Linguistics specializing in Critical Discourse Analysis, positions language as a social practice that both reflects and shapes power relations within society. His contributions have strengthened critical linguistic studies, particularly in the analysis of public and digital discourse in Indonesia.
Prof. Dr. Nugroho Trisnu Brata, S.Sos., M.Hum., Professor of Development Anthropology at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, views development as a human-centered process grounded in culture and sustainability. Through ethnographic approaches, he actively empowers communities in marginalized areas and advocates for development rooted in local wisdom.
The inauguration of these four professors is expected to further strengthen UNNES’ role as a leading and impactful higher education institution. Their achievements are anticipated to bring distinction to the university, contribute meaningfully to society, and advance national progress through sustainable scholarship and innovation.