BANDUNG – Universitas Widyatama (UTama) together with the Guidance and Counseling Teachers Council (MGBK) of Greater Bandung held an event called “Harmoni Raya Widyatama Halal Bihalal MGBK se-Bandung Raya” on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Seminar Room on the 6th floor of Building B, Universitas Widyatama. This event essentially served as a session for guidance and counseling teachers to strengthen their relationships and foster strategic synergy in order to achieve high-quality and competitive education. The event was attended by the leadership of the Widyatama Foundation and Rectorate, the Deputy Mayor of Cimahi, the Chair of the West Java MGBK, and dozens of guidance and counseling teachers from various schools.
Strategic Synergy between MGBK and Higher Education
The Rector of Universitas Widyatama, Prof. Dr. H. Dadang Suganda, M.Hum., emphasized in his speech that synergy with MGBK is crucial in the middle of the current challenges in higher education. He highlighted the competition in New Student Admissions (PMB) and the dynamic economic conditions. Therefore, Widyatama has chosen to focus fully on improving quality as a response to these challenges. According to him, quality is what the community is looking for.
Furthermore, Prof. Dadang explained several main pillars of Widyatama’s quality improvement strategy. “First, lecturer competence. We encourage Widyatama lecturers to pursue doctoral degrees,” he said. In addition, the university also massively supports applied research that benefits the community. “We provide competitive grants every six months to produce outputs needed by the society. That is the key,” said Prof. Dadang. He also emphasized the importance of transformative learning outside the classroom and the link and match program, which has proven to produce adaptive graduates such as the Deputy Mayor of Cimahi, Adhitia Yudhistira.
The Crucial Role of Guidance Counselors and Partnerships
From the perspective of secondary education practitioners, the Head of MGBK West Java, Agus Sunarya, M.Pd., warmly welcomed the initiative of Universitas Widyatama. For him, partnership with universities is a must for the development of guidance counselors’ competencies. He acknowledged that guidance counselors need to continuously upskill or improve their abilities in order to provide relevant guidance to students regarding college and future careers.
“We cannot give our students a clear picture if we ourselves do not know what is taught at Widyatama,” said Agus. He explained that guidance counselors cannot convincingly talk about the facilities and advantages of study programs if they have never experienced and seen them firsthand. Therefore, he hopes that Widyatama can regularly invite guidance counselors to learn and gain new experiences. “Please, Mr. Rector, invite us to learn and experience it for ourselves. We also hope to gain different experiences,” he pleaded.
Alumni Success Stories and Soft Skills Learning
Widyatama’s success in producing outstanding graduates is supported by the testimony of Adhitia Yudisthira, S.E., Ak., CA, an Accounting alumnus who now serves as Deputy Mayor of Cimahi. Adhitia shared his experience that Widyatama is not only excellent in the academic field, but also in shaping students’ soft skills. He recalls how activities in the Student Government (PEMA), which focused on event organization, indirectly sharpened his business instincts and managerial skills.
“Without realizing it, Widyatama students are guided to immediately dive into the real world, the market, and the economy,” recalls Adhitia. It is this experience that, according to him, forms the basis for daring to take on challenges outside his field of study. His story is clear evidence of the concept of “life experience” emphasized by the Rector of Widyatama, where graduates are not only equipped with formal knowledge but also with the adaptability and leadership skills gained from socializing and experiences outside the classroom.
In closing, this event was not only a gathering, but also a declaration of mutual commitment between higher education institutions and the frontline of education in schools. Prof. Dadang expressed his hope, “May the guidance counselors become Widyatama facilitators to enlighten our prospective students.” This meeting was a solid first step toward ongoing collaboration, ensuring that students in Central Bandung receive the best guidance for their future at a cutting-edge campus.
