Director-General of Islamic Education and UIN Jakarta Rector Address 557 Newly Certified Professional Teachers
Harun Nasution Auditorium, UIN Online News — Teachers play a central role as the cornerstone of change and shapers of the nation's future. Through education, teachers are key in forming the character and intelligence of the nation's children, ensuring they are not only academically excellent but also morally and spiritually strong.
This message was conveyed by the Director-General of Islamic Education of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. H. Suyitno, M.Ag., in his remarks at the Inauguration Ceremony of the 2024 In-Service Teacher Professional Education Program (PPG) held by the Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training Sciences (FITK) at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta on Saturday (June 21, 2025).
Director-General Stresses: Teachers are Character Fortresses, Not Just Instructors
Director-General of Islamic Education, Prof. Dr. H. Suyitno, M.Ag., emphasized that education is not enough if it only produces cognitively intelligent generations; it must also produce individuals of strong character. Amidst increasingly complex challenges, including the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, teachers must be able to serve as a fortress for the nation's noble values.
“We must realize that there is a part of the educational process that can never be replaced by AI, namely character and religious education. This is an area that requires a human touch,” he explained.
He then stressed that becoming a professional teacher is not just an option but a necessity regulated by Law Number 14 of 2005 concerning Teachers and Lecturers. This regulation outlines two main requirements for becoming a professional teacher: qualification and competence.
“Teacher qualification is a minimum of S1 (bachelor's degree), and competence is obtained through PPG. Both are mandatory by law. Without them, one cannot be called a professional teacher,” he asserted.
Furthermore, he explained that religious education is insufficient if it only focuses on theory or definitions. True education occurs when these values are absorbed by students and shape their personalities.
“Religious education is not just about knowing the definitions of religious knowledge. It’s about how these values permeate the child, shaping their attitudes and behavior. That’s where the role of the teacher is very important,” he added.
UIN Jakarta Rector: Teachers are the Pillars of National Intelligence
Rector of UIN Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., in his address, also affirmed that teachers are the main pillars in educating the nation. According to him, the intelligence of Indonesia's younger generation, spiritually, intellectually, and morally, lies in the hands of teachers.
“After this, teachers must truly maintain their conduct and instill values of intelligence, both Islamic and Pancasila-based, in their students,” he said.
He added that this inauguration of professional teachers reflects UIN Jakarta's commitment to supporting national priority programs, especially the Asta Cita of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. One important focus highlighted is the strengthening of ecotheology-based education in response to the global climate crisis.
“The climate crisis, which is a global issue today, must be our shared concern. Teachers must be able to instill environmental awareness from an early age in their students,” he stated.
As a concrete manifestation of this commitment, UIN Jakarta has implemented various environmentally friendly policies, such as the use of electric buses within the campus, the provision of refillable water to reduce single-use plastic, and efforts for bureaucratic reform and strengthening institutional independence.
“We hope that the newly inaugurated teachers can also instill UIN Jakarta's values and principles, including the spirit of sustainability, digitalization, and independence,” the Rector concluded.
The Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training Sciences (FITK) UIN Jakarta once again inaugurated 557 teachers participating in the 2024 In-Service Teacher Professional Education Program (PPG). This moment is a proud achievement for FITK, as almost all participants successfully completed the program. This success also aligns with the messages conveyed by the Director-General of Islamic Education and the UIN Jakarta Rector, who emphasized the importance of professionalism, character, and teachers' readiness in facing the challenges of the times.
Photo Documentation:
(Aida Adha S./Fauziah M./Noeni Indah S./Muhammad Haydar A.)