Participants of the Intermediate Level BIPA Teacher Competency Improvement program took a group photo on the first day of the activity at Cut Nyak Dien Hall, BBP Jatim, Surabaya, Monday (2/9/2026) (Source: BBP Jatim Documentation)

ITS Campus, GLC News — Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) once again demonstrates its commitment to enhancing the competence of teaching staff through the participation of its community in professional development programs. One of the instructors from Global Language Center (GLC) ITS, Mr Mirfat MPd, was selected to participate in the Intermediate Level Indonesian Language Teacher Competence Enhancement Program for Foreign Speakers (BIPA), organized by the East Java Language Office (BBP Jatim).

The program, which took place over three days from Monday to Wednesday (February 9–11, 2026) at the Cut Nyak Dien Hall of BBP Jatim, Surabaya, was attended by representatives from 15 BIPA organizing institutions in Cooperation Education Unit (SPK) schools. This activity aims to strengthen teachers’ competence in developing syllabi, teaching materials, as well as adaptive and contextual learning evaluation systems.

In this activity, participants received briefings from experts, including Professor at Universitas Negeri Malang, Prof Dr Gatut Susanto MM MPd, who delivered material on developing BIPA syllabi based on learners’ needs. Not only that, learning evaluation materials also became a main focus on the last day. Nissa Rahma Nur Aprilia MA MPd from the East Java Association of BIPA Teachers and Practitioners (APPBIPA) emphasized the importance of preparing comprehensive assessment instruments.

Instructor of GLC ITS, Mr Mirfat MPd (wearing a yellow batik), participated in the Intermediate Level BIPA Teacher Competency Enhancement at BBP Jatim, Surabaya, Monday (2/9/2026) (Source: BBP Jatim Documentation)

As an instructor at GLC ITS as well as a German language teacher, Mr Mirfat revealed that this program provides various important learnings, ranging from updates on knowledge related to preparing the BIPA syllabus at the intermediate level, the use of digital media in learning, to learning evaluation methods. 

“The use of digital media is one of the things I can immediately apply in BIPA learning at GLC,” he said. He explained that the use of digital media can add variety to learning methods, making the learning process more enjoyable and targeted.

In addition, he added that the preparation of the syllabus as well as learning assessments needs to be adjusted first to the needs and implementation standards of BIPA at GLC so that it can be implemented optimally. Mr Mirfat also stated that the program provided professional recognition in the form of certification for both BIPA practitioners and teachers as a continuation of previous training programs. 

Mr Mirfat’s participation in this program also reinforces ITS’s commitment to providing access to competency development not only for lecturers but also for instructors in work units such as GLC. “Lecturers and instructors are encouraged to continuously develop themselves, and this achievement also becomes part of the unit’s achievement in maintaining the quality of learning,” he stated. This shows that the improvement of teacher quality at ITS is carried out comprehensively to support the internationalization of education. 

In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this achievement contributes to SDG 4 on quality education through the enhancement of teacher competencies, as well as SDG 8 related to decent work and economic growth through the strengthening of educators’ professionalism. Through these continuous efforts, ITS is expected to continue producing excellent and globally competitive teachers. (*)

Written by: Alzena Mayla Shabrina
Editor: Global Language Center, ITS