Dr. Oscar Gilang Purnajati, MHPE, a faculty member at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) Yogyakarta, has been selected to participate in the DIES University Leadership and Management Training Course 2025. This prestigious program, organized by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Center for Lifelong Learning (C3L) at the University of Oldenburg, Germany, is part of the Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies (DIES) initiative. Since 2001, the program has been jointly coordinated by DAAD and the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), with funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The training course is highly competitive, with only 25 participants selected from over 200 applicants worldwide. Participants come from diverse countries, including Indonesia, Colombia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, the Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. The program is designed to strengthen leadership skills and expertise in institutional management and human resource development, equipping participants to implement innovative projects within their respective universities.
The training follows a structured approach, beginning with an online learning phase where participants study fundamental concepts. This is followed by an in-person session at the University of Oldenburg, Germany, where they engage in intensive workshops focused on project management, strategic planning, and academic leadership. Participants then apply their learning in their home institutions over several months, before returning to Germany for a final session where they present their projects, with a particular focus on human resource management.
Dr. Oscar’s selection for this program is a significant achievement for UKDW, reflecting the university’s strong commitment to academic excellence and leadership development. His participation also reinforces UKDW’s engagement in international academic networks, ensuring that its faculty members are well-prepared to contribute to global educational advancements.
For Dr. Oscar, the program represents a valuable international learning experience. He expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and gain insights from experts in the field. He highlighted the program’s engaging approach, which includes active learning methods and interactive activities designed to enhance leadership capabilities. He also shared his excitement about returning to Germany later this year to exchange experiences with fellow participants and further develop innovative projects.
His involvement in the DIES University Leadership and Management Training Course 2025 is a milestone in UKDW’s ongoing efforts to cultivate forward-thinking educators and leaders, ensuring that the university continues to play an active role in shaping the future of higher education on a global scale. [humasukdw/trans.drr]