Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR) – Becoming a teacher requires more than simply mastering teaching materials. Teachers are also expected to have strong character, discipline, resilience, and a sense of responsibility toward the nation and the country. This is one of the focuses of the Teacher Professional Education (PPG) Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR) through the National Insight and State Defense Strengthening Training.
The training, themed “The Spirit of State Defense to Shape Resilient, Character-Driven, Excellent, and Progressive Prospective Teachers for Quality Education,” was held at Rindam IV/Diponegoro, Magelang, on Saturday (September 26, 2026). The program was attended by 44 students of the 2026 Batch 1 PPG Prospective Teacher Program.
Holding the training at Rindam IV/Diponegoro was intended to provide students with a different learning experience. In addition to strengthening their national insight, participants were encouraged to develop discipline, teamwork, responsibility, and resilience—qualities that they can apply in their daily lives as well as in their future roles as educators.
Vice Dean of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) UMPWR, Dr. Herlina Setyowati, M.Pd., said that prospective teachers need to be equipped with more than academic competence. Character and a sense of responsibility as members of society are also important foundations for educators.
“In the future, prospective teachers will not only interact with students in the classroom but will also play an important role in shaping the character of the nation’s younger generation. Therefore, national insight, discipline, responsibility, and the spirit of state defense need to be instilled while they are still undergoing professional education,” she said.
She expressed hope that the program would provide a meaningful experience for PPG students while also helping shape the attitudes and values they will carry with them as they enter the field of education.
Meanwhile, Head of the PPG Study Program at UMPWR, Dr. Yuli Widiyono, M.Pd., explained that the training is part of PPG UMPWR’s efforts to prepare prospective teachers comprehensively, both in terms of competence and character.
“We want PPG students to become not only competent teachers but also educators with strong character who can work collaboratively, maintain discipline, and demonstrate concern for their communities and the nation. These values will be very important when they become part of the education sector,” he explained.
According to Yuli, the experience of participating in activities at Rindam IV/Diponegoro also provides students with an opportunity to learn through direct experience. The various activities during the training allowed participants to strengthen teamwork, leadership, and discipline, while also developing a sense of shared responsibility.
The program is part of PPG UMPWR’s ongoing efforts to prepare prospective teachers who are not only ready to teach but are also ready to become educators who can serve as positive role models for their students.
Through the strengthening of national insight and state defense values, PPG UMPWR continues to encourage the development of resilient, character-driven, excellent, and progressive prospective teachers, while fostering their commitment to contributing to the realization of quality education.
(akb/KP)
