Vice Rector IV of ITS Agus Muhammad Hatta ST MSi PhD giving a speech before the signing of the Cooperation Agreement between ITS and the East Java Provincial Education Office

ITS Campus, ITS News — The welfare of educators, particularly honorary teachers in East Java, still requires serious attention. Recognizing this, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) together with the East Java Provincial Education Office launched the Applied Economics Program for Teachers (Proteg), marked by the signing of a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) at the ITS Rectorate Building on Friday (27/9).

In his opening remarks, ITS Vice Rector IV Agus Muhammad Hatta ST MSi PhD emphasized that the rapid pace of modern developments requires all sectors, including education, to adapt. “These changes demand that we become more creative, both in innovation and entrepreneurship,” he explained.

On the other hand, Hatta, as he is commonly called, acknowledged that many honorary teachers in East Java still face challenging economic conditions. Therefore, he stressed that innovation and entrepreneurial skills are essential for honorary teachers in today’s era. “Given this situation, ITS is ready to assist honorary teachers in innovating to improve their economic welfare,” he said.

Head of the East Java Provincial Education Office Dr Aries Agung Paewai STP MM when presenting the conditions of honorary teachers in East Java

In terms of implementation, this lecturer from the Department of Physics Engineering added that ITS, together with the East Java Provincial Education Office, will conduct an empowerment program for honorary teachers through Proteg, focusing mainly on developing the creative economy. “Through this collaboration, we hope the welfare of the teachers will improve, enabling them to contribute more to educational and local economic development,” he added.

Agreeing with this, the Head of the East Java Provincial Education Office, Dr. Aries Agung Paewai STP MM, stated that quality education cannot be achieved without the support of great teachers. “Every year, students in East Java always achieve prestigious awards, but unfortunately, the welfare of the teachers supporting them has not received enough attention,” he expressed with concern.

ITS Vice Rector IV Agus Muhammad Hatta ST MSi PhD (third from right) and Head of East Java Provincial Education Office Dr Aries Agung Paewai STP MM (third from left) when signing the PKS on Proteg at the ITS Rectorate Building

Therefore, Aries continued, Proteg aims to address the economic challenges faced by honorary teachers. The program will provide training for honorary teachers on creative economy skills, technopreneurship, and the application of information technology in entrepreneurship. “Teachers will gain practical knowledge that they can immediately apply outside of teaching hours,” said the Makassar-born official.

Proteg is set to begin on October 3, 2024, targeting 200 honorary high school, vocational school, and special needs school teachers across East Java. With this collaboration, it is hoped that both the welfare of honorary teachers and the quality of education in East Java will improve. “This program must be implemented well as a concrete step to enhance the welfare of all educational components in East Java,” Aries concluded optimistically. (ITS Public Relations)

Reporter: Andra Eka Wijayanti