Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan

FKIP News — The Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) has been selected as a member of the Indonesia-Australia Teacher Education Consortium (PGIA). UMM is one of ten universities in Indonesia whose proposals met the criteria, reflecting FKIP UMM's commitment and reputation as a leading teacher education institution at both the national and international levels.

The PGIA Consortium is a strategic initiative promoting collaboration between educational institutions in Indonesia and Australia. Its funding comes from the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), self-financing by Indonesian and Australian institutions, Indonesia's state budget (APBN), and other potential resources. FKIP UMM will collaborate with five prominent Australian universities: Western Sydney University, University of Adelaide, Deakin University, Central Queensland University, and the University of Newcastle.

Strengthening Bilateral Educational Ties

Prof. Dr. Trisakti Handayani, MM, Dean of FKIP UMM, expressed gratitude and honor at FKIP UMM’s inclusion in the consortium. She emphasized the importance of this step in contributing to education on a broader scale.

"We are deeply honored and grateful. This is a significant step for us to contribute to improving the quality of teacher education in Indonesia and Australia. This collaboration will not only help develop the institutional capacity of teacher education institutions (LPTKs) to produce professional teachers but also strengthen networks between the two countries in enhancing overall education quality," Prof. Trisakti remarked.

Key Initiatives in the PGIA Consortium

Prof. Trisakti outlined five key initiatives to be implemented under the consortium:

1. Scholarship Programs: Master's and doctoral scholarships for teachers, educational practitioners, and teacher education lecturers, particularly in crucial fields such as literacy, numeracy, special education, school leadership, and interdisciplinary studies.
2. Non-Degree Programs: Proposed initiatives include micro-credential programs, visiting scholar opportunities, practice-oriented post-doctoral fellowships, and the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) for undergraduate students.
3. Curriculum Development: Establishment of teacher education campuses in Indonesia as hubs for teacher, school principal, and educational staff development, research centers, and postgraduate or professional education programs.

These initiatives are expected to provide significant impacts on education quality and expand opportunities for educators in both countries.

Phased Implementation Plan

The consortium's activities will be carried out in three main stages:

1. G20S Meeting: Formation of a National Steering Committee (NSC) comprising representatives from both countries, along with coordinators from LPTKs and Australian teacher education institutions.
2. Consortium Secretariat: Establishment of a secretariat to manage administration and coordination of activities.
3. Regular Meetings: Biannual meetings to monitor and evaluate program progress.

Advancing Global Education Standards

By joining the Indonesia-Australia Teacher Education Consortium (PGIA), FKIP UMM aims to achieve significant advancements in teacher education quality in both nations. This initiative underscores a shared commitment to advancing education and creating better opportunities for educators and aspiring teachers.

The collaboration not only strengthens international academic relations but also positively impacts the global education landscape. Through these efforts, FKIP UMM reaffirms its dedication to excellence and innovation in teacher education. (*fd)