

A total of 11,282 new students from various programs, including undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels, across all faculties and campuses at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), were officially welcomed by the UPI Rector during the Inauguration Ceremony for New Students and the Opening of the Campus Orientation and General Lecture for the 2024/2025 Academic Year. The event took place in front of the Gymnasium Building at the UPI Bumi Siliwangi Campus, Jalan Dr. Setiabudhi No. 229, Bandung, on Monday, August 26, 2024. Among the new students are 39 international students, further enriching UPI’s diversity and strengthening its internationalization efforts.
UPI Rector Prof. Dr. H. M. Solehuddin, M.Pd., M.A., noted that this year, UPI has accepted nearly 12,000 new students. The students come from various faculties: 1,187 from the Faculty of Education, 1,322 from the Faculty of Social Sciences Education, 941 from the Faculty of Language and Literature Education, 942 from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Education, 1,096 from the Faculty of Technology and Vocational Education, 962 from the Faculty of Sports and Health Education, 785 from the Faculty of Economics and Business Education, 553 from the Faculty of Art and Design Education, 48 from the Faculty of Medicine, and 233 from the Graduate School. Additionally, there are 710 new students at UPI Cibiru Campus, 766 at UPI Sumedang Campus, 564 at UPI Purwakarta Campus, 608 at UPI Tasikmalaya Campus, and 526 at UPI Serang Campus. The presence of these new students, especially the 39 international students, enriches the university’s diversity and enhances UPI’s global reach.
In his speech, Prof. Solehuddin emphasized the complex challenges and opportunities these students will face, urging them to adapt and grow in this dynamic environment. He expressed hope that through their education at UPI, students would develop their best potential not only for themselves but also for society and the nation.
The ceremony also included the recitation of the New Student Pledge, marking the beginning of their academic journey at UPI. Additionally, the Rector officially opened the Campus Orientation and General Lecture (MOKA-KU) for the 2024/2025 academic year. This year’s theme, “Modernization of Education and Enculturation as a Strategy for National Development in Escalating the Nation’s Quality,” reflects the challenges in the current global context.
Prof. Solehuddin highlighted that educational modernization is not just about integrating technology into teaching and learning processes, but also about changing mindsets, methods, and approaches to adapt to the times. In this digital era, critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills are essential for preparing for future challenges. As one of Indonesia’s leading higher education institutions, UPI continues to strive to be a pioneer in holistic and transformative educational innovation.
“However, modernization alone is not enough,” he stressed. “The process of enculturation, instilling noble values and national identity in every educational process, must remain a strong foundation. Cultural values, Pancasila character, and local wisdom are legacies that must not be eroded by globalization. Therefore, the education we build must always be oriented towards strengthening national identity and character formation based on national principles.”
Prof. Solehuddin also underscored the importance of collaboration and mutual cooperation in academic life. Achieving great goals cannot be done alone but requires strong synergy between students, faculty, and all campus elements. Active participation in campus activities provides opportunities to build networks, hone social skills, and foster empathy for others.