University of PGRI Semarang

The University of PGRI Semarang was founded by the Board of Administration Committee I PGRI in Central Java Province. The university is one body under the wings of Education Institution Foundation (YPLP) IKIP PGRI of Central Java, and is the amalgamation of IKIP PGRI Semarang and Academy of Technology Semarang. The university was founded with the aim to prepare stellar future leaders who are nationalist, so that they could be exemplary individuals as statesmen and a member of a society to achieve prosperity for Indonesian people. University of PGRI Semarang has five major stages of development.

The first stage was the pioneering stage of the institution (1981 – 1986). This stage was marked with the founding of IKIP PGRI of Central Java on July 23, 1981 by the Board of Administration Committee I of PGRI under the leadership of Drs. Is Riwidigdo. There were several other founding fathers like Taruna, S.H, Drs. Is Riwidigdo; Drs. Karseno; Drs. R. Antonius Supardi Hadiatmodjo; Drs. Muhamad Oemar; Drs. Thomas Sabar Adiutomo; Drs. Abdul Latief Nawawi S.H.; Drs. Soeparjo; Mrs. Widayati Sumiyatun Soeharto; and Drs. Teddy Iskandi. By the Decree of Education Ministry No. 0395/0/1984 IKIP PGRI of Central Java Province changed its name into STKIP PRGI of Central Java.

The second stage was development of institution (1987 – 1992). Under the leadership of Taruna S.H., as the rector, STKIP PRGI of Central Java changed its name into IKIP PGRI Semarang.

The third stage was academic development stage (1993 – 1997). Under the leadership of Drs. Satmoko as the rector, the campus focused on improving the quality of lecturers through higher education. This academic development was carried on under the leadership of Drs. Sugijono, M.Sc (1997 – 2001). The institute had 6 study programs: Indonesian Language and Arts Education, English Language Education, Mathematic Education, Education Psychology and Guidance, Pancasila Education and Civics, and Biology Education. All the six departments proposed accreditation to the National Accreditation Board and were awarded B for all departments.

The fourth stage was the development stage. Sulistiyo, M.Pd. took the leadership role and it was during his time that there was a discourse about altering IKIP PGRI Semarang into a university, however, this notion strengthened the determination to remain in the form of IKIP. There was a massive euphoria for higher education institutions to change format into universities, and this idea made IKIP PGRI Semarang had stronger intention to be more focused as the higher education institution to yield educators and teachers. The tendency was marked with the increase of popularity of IKIP PGRI Semarang as one of the top 5 private institutions that attracted students’ interests.

Due to the lack of teachers especially for kindergarten and elementary school levels, during this period, in 2003, IKIP PGRI Semarang opened a study program of Diploma 2 Kindergarten School Teacher Education (PGTK). In 2004, IKIP PGRI Semarang opened yet again a Diploma 2 for Elementary School Teacher (PGSD). To maintain the quality, both study programs were upgraded to a S-1 programs. As for Kindergarten School Teacher Education (PGTK), it was upgraded into Early Childhood Education. To further support the program of the Central Java Governor that Javanese language was included in local content lesson, IKIP PGRI Semarang also opened a study program for Javanese Language and Arts.

The fifth stage (2009 – now) was a stage where character education was fostered and encouraged. In this period under the leadership of Dr. Muhdi, M.Hum as the rector, IKIP PGRI Semarang continued to improve the public awareness about the importance of character education on students. There were various activities to make the character education come into being during this period. To mark the importance of this period, Semarang Academy of Technology was recruited under the wings of the Foundation to be a part of IKIP PGRI Semarang. On April 17 2014 with the decree of the Ministry of Education number 143/P/2014 the amalgamation of IKIP PGRI Semarang and Semarang Academy of Technology as University of PGRI Semarang was carried out. It has 2 Masters study programs, 13 study programs for undergraduate level, 7 Technical Study programs, and 3 Technique diploma programs.