Professional Architect Education Program (PPAr), Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya proudly held the Inauguration of the First Cohort of Professional Architects, marking a significant milestone for graduates’ careers as professional architects on August 30, 2024.

Held in Prof. Ir. Suryono Auditorium, the event was attended by university leaders, faculty members, and graduates who have undergone a rigorous educational process.

The Vice Rector for Planning, Cooperation, and Internationalization UB, Andi Kurniawan, S.Pi., M.Eng., D.Sc.,  representing the Rector, expressed gratitude and pride in the graduates’ achievements. He emphasized the importance of the university’s support in managing and developing the Professional Architect Education Program (PPAr) as a strategic step in preparing licensed architects who can make a tangible contribution to society and the nation.

The profession of architecture is not merely about theoretical knowledge but also practical skills in solving various problems. Architects are crucial in meeting basic human needs, building safe and sustainable infrastructure, and bridging knowledge gaps in society.

As architects, graduates are expected to connect social needs with relevant technological innovations and appropriate commercial applications. Architects are also expected to be key drivers of sustainable socio-economic development.

Faced with the challenges of the Industry 4.0 and Community 5.0 eras, UB is committed to continually synergizing in enhancing the quality of education that is innovative, collaborative, and internationally competitive. The goal is for the university’s architecture graduates to become outstanding individuals with integrity and high capabilities.

In his speech, the university leader also expressed hopes that graduates from the Faculty of Engineering’s architecture program would take responsibility for all aspects of building safety and reliability in their designs.

“We are expecting you to continue expanding your knowledge and become professional architects whose works can be celebrated at both national and international levels,” said Andi Kurniawan.

Law Number 6 of 2017 states that to become an architect, one must have an Architect Registration Certificate (STRA), which can be obtained through the Professional Education or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathways. UB has currently opened a regular PPAr program and plans to develop an RPL program in the future.

The establishment of PPAr in the UB also aims to implement the 4+1 education scheme, as well as to develop an educational program that produces professional architects with competencies recognized by the Indonesian Institute of Architects (IAI) and the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA). This effort also supports the expansion of PPAr in other universities in East Java and Indonesia.

On the same occasion, FTUB Dean, Prof. Ir. Hadi Suyono, ST., MT., Ph.D., IPU., ASEAN.Eng., reported that there’re a total of 16 prospective architects from the first cohort of UB’s PPAr have met all the requirements to be inaugurated as professional architects.

“All participants graduated with cum laude honors, and they are expected to become responsible architects, making the best contributions to their alma mater and the nation while upholding integrity in their profession,” he concluded. (mic)