Indonesia
Universitas Brawijaya (UB) shows tangible support for developing the Singosari Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Malang Regency by implementing the Doktor Mengabdi Program through the UB Directorate of Research and Community Service funding scheme. The program focuses on improving the competence and professionalism of teachers in Singosari through training and research assistance, which is expected to enhance the quality of education as the main foundation of SEZ development.
For more than three months, teachers in Malang Regency have been at the center of attention through UB’s Community Service activities. The Doktor Mengabdi Program entitled “Participatory Action Research: Assisting Teachers in Singosari, Malang Regency in Improving Teaching Professionalism through In-Service Training in Embracing the Creative Economic Zone” led by Dr. Ive Emaliana, M.Pd., from UB’s Faculty of Cultural Studies (FCS), aims to support the preparation of teachers who have simple research competencies and the ability to share good practices through publications, which are the foundation for achieving quality education in the era of digital transformation.
This activity is based on UB’s commitment to help the Singosari area, a part of Malang Regency that is being prepared as an SEZ, especially in strengthening educational capacity. With training and mentoring programs for teachers, UB plays an active role in preparing educators to optimize teaching quality and foster a scientific culture in schools.
It is expected to support Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4 and aligns with Indonesia’s vision of encouraging creative economic areas and digital transformation through educational competence.
The Doktor Mengabdi Program uses the Participatory Action Research method, which involves language teachers and other stakeholders in every stage of the activity, from problem identification to evaluation.
The program conducts in-service training for teachers from July to August 2024, focusing on simple research and popular writing techniques to share good practices. Online mentoring sessions lasted until October 2024 to ensure the teachers were ready to publish their research results, which are expected to improve education quality in Singosari.
One of the teachers who participated in this activity expressed his appreciation.
“We receive great benefit from this training from UB. It helps us improve our writing and publishing skills. As a teacher in Singosari, I feel that this activity helps us be better prepared for the transformation that the creative economy area requires,” said Nur Rofiq, S.Pd.
Dr. Ive Emaliana appreciated the teachers’ dedication to this activity.
“We hope this activity will contribute to advancing education in Malang Regency, especially in Singosari, and support the transformation of Singosari as an SEZ. Thank you to all those who supported this program, especially the Malang Regency English MGMP who collaborated,” she said.
With the end of this program, UB hopes that similar activities can continue to be implemented to develop the professionalism of teachers in Malang Regency and support the sustainable quality of education for Singosari SEZ. This program is expected to inspire more institutions to contribute to supporting Indonesia’s vision as a creative economy hub. [trans.acl/ed.dts/PR FCS]