Yogyakarta, October 8–10, 2025 — The Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training (FITK), UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, proudly announces a remarkable achievement by Ari Wahyu Saputro, M.Pd., a young lecturer from the Chemistry Education Study Program, who was officially invited by Google to attend the Google Product Expert Summit 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. This prestigious forum, fully funded by Google, gathered selected product experts from around the world to exchange insights, test new features, and collaborate on improving the global user experience for Google for Education products.
Representing Indonesia in a Global Tech-Education Forum
As the only Product Expert for Google Classroom from Indonesia, Ari stood alongside fellow education experts from the United States — Mark Loundy, Dierdre Shetler, and Michael Fricano — under the mentorship of Karan Sharma, Community Manager for Google Education from India. Together, they explored the evolving landscape of digital pedagogy and the pedagogical implications of integrating AI into the classroom.
Ari shared that participating in the forum was not only an honor but also an opportunity to bring Indonesia’s educational perspectives to a global conversation on technology and learning.
“Being part of this global network means learning how educators from different countries use technology to address real classroom challenges,” Ari reflected. “It’s inspiring to see how innovation can still remain rooted in values of inclusivity and accessibility for all learners.”
Innovation and the Rise of AI in Learning
During the summit, Ari also joined exclusive sessions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools such as Gemini and Veo 3, where participants discussed how AI can enhance classroom engagement and assessment. According to Ari, these innovations are paving the way for personalized learning ecosystems, enabling teachers to identify students’ learning needs in real time.
“AI is not replacing teachers,” Ari emphasized, “it’s amplifying their capacity to design creative, adaptive, and human-centered learning environments.”
He explained that Google’s current vision for education focuses on empowering educators as facilitators of lifelong learning. Through platforms like Google Classroom, the goal is to cultivate learning that is collaborative, self-directed, and reflective — attributes essential for 21st-century learners.
Cross-Cultural Learning Experience in Dublin
Outside the summit, Ari visited Trinity College Dublin and Griffith College Dublin, two leading institutions known for their academic rigor and student-centered pedagogy. He observed how European students engage deeply with independent learning and critical inquiry.
“Students in Ireland tend to spend hours in discussion spaces, libraries, and studios,” he observed. “They’re not just absorbing knowledge — they’re questioning it, reconstructing it, and turning it into ideas that matter.”
This experience, Ari added, offered valuable inspiration for enhancing academic culture and critical thinking among Indonesian students, especially in science and technology education.
Global Recognition, Local Impact
Ari’s participation in the Summit brought significant recognition not only to himself but also to FITK UIN Sunan Kalijaga, as it reflects the faculty’s growing reputation in digital education innovation. His involvement in such an international platform demonstrates how UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s academic community continues to embrace global engagement while nurturing educational excellence rooted in ethical and humanistic values.
Support and Vision from FITK Leadership
In response to Ari’s achievement, Prof. Dr. Sigit Purnama, M.Pd., Dean of FITK, expressed great pride and appreciation, emphasizing that this milestone aligns perfectly with FITK’s strategic direction towards digital transformation and international collaboration.
“This is a proud moment for our faculty,” said Prof. Sigit. “Ari’s achievement demonstrates that our educators are ready to contribute to global discussions on digital pedagogy and lead innovation in technology-integrated learning.”
He further added that such recognition serves as a motivation for other lecturers and students to pursue professional excellence, research collaboration, and digital literacy advancement.
“Our goal is to create an academic community that is globally connected yet locally grounded — one that uses technology to serve education, not the other way around,” he concluded.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Educators
The accomplishment of Ari Wahyu Saputro stands as a testimony to the transformative potential of young educators in bridging technology and human learning. His journey from Yogyakarta to Dublin underscores how dedication, curiosity, and continuous learning can elevate both individual and institutional impact.
Through this achievement, FITK UIN Sunan Kalijaga continues to champion innovation, collaboration, and global engagement — embodying its mission to prepare educators who not only teach but also inspire and lead in the era of digital transformation. (Arifah)