Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR) – Building a culture of literacy in schools is not only about encouraging students to read and write. It also means helping them develop the curiosity to ask questions, think critically, and explore problems through research. This spirit was reflected in the Junior Scientific Writing (Karya Ilmiah Remaja/KIR) Training organized by the UPT Library of Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR) in collaboration with the Purworejo Regency Library and Archives Office.
The training was held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the Pustaka Remaja Library of SMP Negeri 2 Purworejo and was attended by 25 students. The program was designed to foster a research-based literacy culture while strengthening students’ critical thinking and scientific writing skills.
The activity also aimed to support the implementation of the school literacy movement, as well as encourage the development of school libraries and improve the quality of their services.
The training featured Prof. Dr. Siska Desy Fatmaryanti, M.Si., Professor of the Physics Study Program at UMPWR and an active researcher, as the main speaker. She introduced the students to the basic stages of conducting research and encouraged them to look at everyday situations with a researcher's perspective.
“Research does not begin with answers, but with questions. Start with problems that are close to us,” Siska said.
Following the presentation, the students were given an opportunity to put what they had learned into practice. Using LKPD (Student Worksheets) provided by the speaker, they were guided to identify phenomena or problems that could become research topics, formulate research questions, develop a title, collect data, and carry out a simple analysis.
The practical session made the training more engaging as students began exploring issues they encounter in their daily lives and turning their curiosity into potential research ideas.
Head of SMP Negeri 2 Purworejo, Prastowo Widagdo, welcomed the program and emphasized that the role of school libraries has continued to evolve alongside the changing needs of education.
“A library is no longer simply a place to store books. A good library should support learning, literacy, and numeracy, which are also being promoted by the government,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Head of the UMPWR Library, Nurmansyah Alami, M.T., said the collaboration with the Purworejo Regency Library and Archives Office reflects UMPWR’s commitment to strengthening literacy beyond the university environment.
“We want libraries to become spaces that encourage students not only to read, but also to ask questions, find out more, and produce knowledge. Through this KIR training, we hope students will have the confidence to start research from simple things they encounter in their everyday lives,” Nurmansyah said.
The program began with remarks from the Principal of SMP Negeri 2 Purworejo, Head of the Library Division of the Purworejo Regency Library and Archives Office, and Head of the UMPWR Library, before moving on to the main presentation and research practice session.
Through this collaboration, UMPWR hopes that the spirit of research can grow from an early age. More than simply learning how to write scientific papers, students are encouraged to become more attentive to the issues around them and develop the habit of finding solutions through data, observation, and critical thinking.
