Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta once again demonstrated its commitment to strengthening higher education, sustainable innovation, and national character development through the inauguration of four new professors held at the UNY Auditorium. The ceremony marked a strategic milestone in enhancing the university’s academic excellence and contribution to national progress through education, research, and community service.

The four newly inaugurated professors are Iis Prasetyo, Rukiyati, Sekar Purbarini Kawuryan, and Kastam Syamsi. Through their respective fields of expertise, the professors delivered inaugural speeches emphasizing the importance of educational transformation, character building, and innovation to address future societal challenges.

In his remarks, the Rector of UNY, Prof. Sumaryanto, highlighted that the inauguration of professors is not only a symbol of academic achievement but also a strategic investment in strengthening the nation’s intellectual capacity and character.

“Professors have a strategic role in producing innovations, strengthening character education, and preparing superior human resources for the future,” he stated.

Professor Iis Prasetyo emphasized the importance of strengthening lifelong learning systems through nonformal education that is adaptive to technological and social changes. According to him, sustainable innovation in education must ensure equal learning opportunities for all levels of society.

Meanwhile, Professor Rukiyati stressed the significance of humanistic and character-based education. She emphasized that education should not solely focus on cognitive development but also cultivate ethics, morality, empathy, and cultural values as the foundation of national character.

Professor Sekar Purbarini Kawuryan underlined the strategic role of elementary education in shaping students’ literacy, competencies, and character from an early age. She advocated for adaptive and innovative learning models capable of responding to the dynamics of the digital era and global challenges.

On the other hand, Professor Kastam Syamsi discussed the importance of Indonesian language education in strengthening literacy and national identity. He explained that language mastery is a key element in developing critical thinking, effective communication, and cultural awareness amid globalization.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by university leaders, academics, professors, invited guests, and members of the broader academic community. The event reflected UNY’s commitment to continuously increasing the number and quality of professors as key pillars in advancing science, innovation, and educational transformation.

Through the inauguration of these four professors, UNY reaffirmed its dedication to becoming a higher education institution that not only excels academically but also contributes to sustainable innovation, character education, and the development of globally competitive human resources rooted in national values.

This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).