Universitas PGRI Madiun (UNIPMA) continues to produce future professional educators through the Teacher Professional Education (PPG) program. A total of 292 graduates from the 2024 Batch 3 Teacher Professional Competency Examination (UKPPG) officially took part in the graduation and teacher oath ceremony at Graha Cendekia Hall on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. The solemn event was attended by key stakeholders in the education sector.

The Acting Director of the Teacher Professional Education (PPG) program, Ferry Maulana Putra, S.Pd., M.Ed, was present at the ceremony. He commended UNIPMA’s PPG program for its continuous contribution to producing quality educators. Since early 2021, UNIPMA has successfully graduated 1,492 professional teachers through the Pre-service PPG Program. Ferry highlighted that most UNIPMA PPG graduates have secured positions as Civil Servants (ASN) or teaching staff in private schools.

"We sincerely appreciate UNIPMA for producing competent and professional future teachers. This is a remarkable achievement," he stated.

Furthermore, Ferry emphasized that the PPG program serves as a crucial first step for aspiring teachers to obtain an educator certification (serdik) before officially entering the teaching profession. He also acknowledged UNIPMA’s collaboration with local governments and education offices to meet the demand for teachers in various regions.

"We hope this collaboration continues, as the need for teachers is constantly increasing. Ideally, each region can prepare its own educators. For instance, the demand for teachers in Madiun City can be met through local Teacher Training Institutions (LPTK), such as UNIPMA," he explained.

Ferry also reminded the graduates that their graduation is not the end of their journey but the beginning of a long and meaningful career in education. "They are like seedlings that still need to grow and develop. Hopefully, they will become great and professional teachers in the future," he added.

Echoing Ferry’s sentiments, UNIPMA Rector Dr. Supri Wahyudi Utomo, M.Pd, underscored the importance of professionalism for PPG graduates. He stated that they have been equipped with four essential competencies required of professional teachers: personal, pedagogical, social, and professional competence.

"With these four competencies, they are expected to have a strong foundation to serve as educators," Dr. Supri Wahyudi Utomo, M.Pd, explained.

He also encouraged the graduates to maintain their enthusiasm for continuous learning and to adapt to the rapid advancements in technology. "Technological changes require teachers to keep evolving so they can be inspiring educators and excellent mentors for their students," he added.

The 2024 Batch 3 UKPPG graduates from UNIPMA came from five study fields:

• Indonesian Language (17 graduates)
• Guidance and Counseling (12 graduates)
• Mathematics (30 graduates)
• Primary School Teacher Education (224 graduates)
• Pancasila Education (9 graduates)

The teacher oath ceremony was also attended by the Head of the Madiun City Education Office, Dr. Hj. Lismawati, S.Pd., M.Pd, and the Chairman of PPLP PT PGRI Madiun, Imam Sujudi. They expressed their support and encouragement for the graduates, urging them to serve in the education field with a sense of responsibility and professionalism.