Bandung, UPI

Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) marked a significant milestone in its academic journey by introducing a fully digital diploma system during its first 2026 graduation ceremony, held at the UPI Gymnasium on Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi No. 229, Bandung, on Tuesday (Feb. 10).

The event not only celebrated academic achievement but also reflected the university’s commitment to digital transformation through the implementation of QR-code-verified diplomas, alongside the distribution of scholarships to eligible students.

Approximately 697 graduates from Diploma, Bachelor’s (S1), Master’s (S2), and Doctoral (S3) programs participated in the ceremony. The February schedule was intentionally arranged to allow graduates and their families to celebrate more comfortably ahead of the month of Ramadan, creating a more inclusive and family-oriented atmosphere.

UPI Rector Prof. Didi Sukyadi, M.A., stated that starting in 2026, the university will no longer issue physical diplomas. This policy aligns with efforts to enhance efficiency, strengthen data security, and support environmentally friendly practices through paperless systems.

The digital diploma system is equipped with secure Digital Certification in collaboration with Balai Sertifikasi Elektronik, enabling instant verification through QR codes. As a result, graduates can independently access and use their diplomas without the need for additional legalization, as the documents are already verified and legally valid.

“This policy allows graduates to access their academic documents more quickly for professional and administrative purposes, while also ensuring data security,” he explained.

In addition to this innovation, the ceremony also highlighted UPI’s commitment to social responsibility through the distribution of the Genius Scholarship from the West Java Provincial Government, with a total allocation of Rp2.1 billion. The program supports high-achieving students from West Java who face financial challenges, contributing to the development of human resources in the region.

This initiative reflects UPI’s ongoing efforts to adapt to technological advancements while maintaining its commitment to accessible and sustainable education. It is also in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), through the promotion of inclusive education and environmentally responsible practices. (Rija/DN)

Bandung, UPI

Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) continues to strengthen its global partnerships through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five universities in Bandung and Goethe-Institut Indonesien.

The event, titled “Growing Cultural Futures Together: MoU Signing and Panel Discussion,” was held at Goethe-Institut Bandung on Tuesday (Feb 10).

The ceremony was attended by Constanze Michel, Director of Goethe-Institut Indonesien and Regional Director for Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Representing UPI, Prof. Dr. Agus Setiabudi, M.Si., Vice Rector for Research, Community Service, and Partnerships, formally signed the agreement, marking the beginning of a strategic collaboration in areas such as film festivals, joint research, cultural events, and faculty and student exchanges between Germany and UPI.

Partner institutions include Telkom University, Universitas Aisyiyah Bandung, Universitas Katolik Parahyangan, the Faculty of Cultural Studies at Universitas Padjadjaran, and Universitas Widyatama. The collaboration will include initiatives such as film series production, children’s literature translation, German language programs, and participation in Goethe Kino and Kinofest.

The event continued with a panel discussion titled “Culture in an Age of Uncertainty,” which explored how universities and cultural institutions can thrive through international collaboration. Prof. Agus Setiabudi emphasized that the partnership will enhance UPI’s academic quality through sustainable two-way exchanges.

This initiative represents a significant step in strengthening UPI’s reputation as an active participant in both national and global collaborations. (VS)

Bandung, UPI

A student of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), Nurul Izzatul Muslimah (NIM 2310703), from the 2023 Catering Education program at the Faculty of Engineering and Vocational Education (FPTI), secured 2nd place nationally in the Recipe Creation category at the Universitas Al Azhar Nutrition Competition (UNION) 2026.

This national competition, hosted by Universitas Al Azhar Indonesia in Jakarta, highlights UPI’s commitment to producing high-quality and competitive outputs that enhance the university’s reputation.

Nurul expressed her sincere gratitude for the strong institutional support that contributed significantly to her achievement. She hopes that this accomplishment will inspire fellow students to strive for excellence in both academic and non-academic fields. (CS)

Bandung, UPI

During the SNPMB 2026 briefing at Open Visit UPI held at the Serang Campus on February 4, 2026, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) highlighted one of the most frequently raised public concerns: the role of TKA in the SNBP 2026 selection pathway.

The Head of UPI’s New Student Recruitment Division, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Ahmad Mudzakir, M.Si., confirmed that TKA will continue to be used as a supporting component in the evaluation process.

“We will continue to use TKA as one of the validators of report card scores,” he stated.

According to Prof. Mudzakir, UPI is strengthening its merit-based admission system (SNBP) by incorporating TKA scores as an additional validation tool. Previously, the university utilized school accreditation and UTBK index scores as comparators. In 2026, TKA was added to further enhance the reliability of academic assessment.

In essence, while report cards remain the primary basis of evaluation, UPI emphasizes the importance of having balancing mechanisms to ensure a more equitable and consistent interpretation of student performance across different schools.

More broadly, within the SNPMB 2026 framework, the most notable adjustment lies in the SNBP pathway, while the UTBK-SNBT mechanism remains largely unchanged.

What Students and Schools Need to Prepare

To minimize technical errors during the selection process, several key points should be considered:

• Ensure accurate report card and school data
  Since report cards remain central to SNBP, students and schools must avoid administrative errors in data entry and supporting documents.
• Take TKA preparation seriously
  As part of the validation process, TKA should be viewed as a meaningful component that strengthens a student’s academic profile.
• Maintain consistent UTBK preparation for SNBT
  As the system remains largely unchanged, success in SNBT still depends on subject mastery, time management, and regular practice.

Open Visit UPI at a Glance

Open Visit UPI serves as a platform to help prospective students better understand the technical aspects of registration and selection. The program is planned as an annual initiative to broaden outreach and improve preparedness among applicants.

In 2026, Open Visit UPI was held at:

• UPI Main Campus, Bandung (January 31)
• UPI Serang Campus (February 4)
• UPI Purwakarta Campus (February 7)

Upcoming sessions include:

• UPI Tasikmalaya Campus (February 11)
• UPI Sumedang Campus (February 14)

By promoting transparency, fairness, and better access to admission information, this initiative contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education)—ensuring more equitable opportunities for students in accessing higher education. (CS)

Serang, UPI

Open Visit UPI 2026 was held at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) Serang Campus on February 4, 2026, as part of the university’s broader Open Visit series following its earlier implementation at the main campus in Bandung. The event featured an information seminar on SNPMB 2026 (SNBP and UTBK-SNBT), program introductions, and an education fair designed to strengthen prospective students’ and teachers’ understanding of the university admission process.

The main seminar was led by Prof. Dr. Vanessa Gaffar, S.E., Ak., MBA., Vice Rector for Education and Quality Assurance, alongside Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Ahmad Mudzakir, M.Si., Head of the New Student Recruitment Division. The session covered registration procedures, admission mechanisms, regulations, and key points that participants should carefully consider when preparing for SNPMB 2026.

Prof. Mudzakir emphasized that Open Visit serves as an effective platform for participants to clarify technical issues that often arise during the registration process. The discussion also addressed current topics, including the role of TKA as one of the validating components of report card scores in the SNBP pathway.

Program Exploration and Interactive Learning

Following the seminar, participants were introduced directly to the study programs offered at UPI Serang Campus, including:

• Primary School Teacher Education (S1)
• Early Childhood Education (S1)
• Marine and Fisheries Education (S1)
• Marine Information Systems (S1)
• Marine Logistics (S1)
• Primary Education (S2)

The introduction was complemented by an education fair, where students and teachers engaged in discussions with lecturers and current students. Visitors also had the opportunity to explore student-created projects, providing a more tangible understanding of each program.

Strong Turnout and Positive Atmosphere

The event recorded strong enthusiasm, with an estimated 500 participants in attendance. Dr. Supriadi, M.Pd., Director of UPI Serang Campus, highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance campus services, including the promotion of key facilities such as the Selat Sunda Building.

A lively chant during the opening ceremony “I’ll choose UPI Serang!” reflected the participants’ growing connection with the campus, while also reinforcing UPI Serang’s position as an increasingly recognized study destination.

Looking ahead, Open Visit UPI is expected to become an annual program aimed at expanding outreach both offline and online and helping prospective students better prepare for university admission.

By improving access to accurate admission information and fostering direct interaction between institutions and prospective students, this initiative supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting informed and equitable access to higher education opportunities. (CS)