Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR) held the opening ceremony for Soft Skill 2026 with the theme “Design Your Future.” The event took place on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Kasman Singodimejo Auditorium. The kick-off of Soft Skill 2026 was the first step in equipping students with non-academic skills that support the modern era.
The Soft Skill 2026 Kick-off event began with a report from the committee chair, Dr. Eko Harianto, M.S.I. In his presentation, Eko Harianto expressed his hope that the Soft Skill activity would become part of the process of shaping students' identities so that they would not only be academically intelligent, but also mature in terms of attitude, character, and personality.
Following the committee chairperson's report, the Rector of Muhammadiyah University Purworejo, Dr. Teguh Wibowo, M.Pd, delivered a speech and officially opened the Soft Skill 2026 series of activities. In his speech, Teguh Wibowo stated that soft skills can enhance abilities that are not only acquired in the academic world but also serve as preparation for the professional world.
“Soft skills also cultivate responsibility, honesty, empathy, and professional attitudes that are needed during one's time as a student and as preparation for the working world,” he said.
The participants of the 2026 Soft Skills training are students in their 1st, 3rd, and 5th semesters. At the Soft Skills Kick Off, 1,943 students in their 1st semester participated in the activity in person at the Kasman Singodimedjo Auditorium. Students in their 3rd and 5th semesters participated online via YouTube. This Soft Skills training is conducted in stages with interactive training divided into 3 levels, namely level 1 for semester 1, level 2 for semester 3, and level 3 for semester 5.
This Kick Off event featured an interactive speaker, Hardika Dwi Hermawan, MSC. ITE, known as the founder of Desamind Indonesia and an active lecturer at Muhammadiyah University Surakarta (UMS). In his session, Hardika delivered material on Managing Productivity in the Digital Age, emphasizing the skills that students must have in the digital era, namely leadership, which includes the ability to listen, empower, and take action.
With a dynamic delivery style, Handika reiterated that students in the digital era must have a growth mindset and avoid a fixed mindset. Handika's engaging presentation sparked enthusiasm among participants, with many critical and inspiring questions asked during the discussion session.
This activity is expected to be a turning point for UMPWR students to continue honing their potential beyond academic boundaries. With a spirit of collaboration and a growth mindset, all students are expected to be able to overcome the uncertainties of the digital era and emerge as a golden generation that brings pride to their alma mater and nation.
