As part of the implementation of the Three Pillars of Higher Education (Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi) through the Community Service Program (Program Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat/PKM), a team of lecturers and students from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) organized a competency development workshop for educators. The activity was held at SMA Islam Al-Azhar 9 Yogyakarta and was attended by teachers from various educational levels who gathered to strengthen pedagogical skills and continuous professional development in the education sector.

In his opening remarks, representing UNY, Dr. Drs. Yusman Wiyatmo, Head of the Physics Education Department, emphasized that the workshop was not merely a theoretical knowledge-sharing activity but a concrete effort to assist educators in producing meaningful works that support their professional development.

As a form of commitment and institutional collaboration, the activity was also accompanied by the signing of a Cooperation Agreement (Perjanjian Kerja Sama/PKS) between the school and the community service team from the Physics Education Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) UNY. This collaboration represents a strategic step in improving education quality while strengthening partnerships between universities and schools.

The school welcomed the collaboration, expressing hope that continuous educator competency development programs could continue in the future. The synergy between higher education institutions and schools is expected to ensure that teachers’ academic and professional capacities continue to grow sustainably.

The workshop featured materials delivered by the Physics Education Department team from FMIPA UNY, consisting of Bayu Setiaji, M.Pd.; Dr. Febrina Siska Widyaningtyas, S.Pd., M.Pd.; Dr. Pujianto, M.Pd.; Dr. Sukardiyono, M.Si.; Dr. Drs. Yusman Wiyatmo, M.Si.; and Dr. Riki Perdana, M.Pd. The activity was also supported by student assistants who helped facilitate the sessions.

The first session focused on AI-Assisted Scientific Writing Based on Classroom Practices. Participants learned techniques for creating effective and appropriate prompts to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) technology in preparing scientific papers more efficiently. Through structured prompt design, teachers were introduced to strategies for optimizing AI as an intelligent assistant in developing ideas from classroom practices into systematic scientific works.

The workshop emphasized that AI is not intended to replace teachers’ critical thinking abilities but rather to serve as a supporting tool to improve efficiency in conducting classroom action research and developing academic writing.

The second session discussed Strengthening the Implementation of the Independent Curriculum (Kurikulum Merdeka) Based on Local Wisdom to Improve Teacher Competence. This material was designed to enhance teachers’ ability to integrate cultural values and local wisdom into the Independent Curriculum structure. Through this approach, educators were encouraged to develop teaching modules and strengthening projects that are more contextual, engaging, and relevant to students’ environments.

Following the presentations, participants engaged in discussion and question-and-answer sessions to explore practical applications of the materials in their respective schools.

Through this workshop, teachers are expected to become more confident and consistent in producing scientific works and developing innovative learning practices. The improvement of educator competence is expected to provide long-term benefits by fostering an academic culture that is creative, adaptive, and focused on improving student learning outcomes.