EduAsiaNews, Jakarta – Marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah, the Faculty of Law of Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta (FH UPNVJ) officially launched the 9th Cohort of the Special Education for the Advocate Profession (PKPA) in collaboration with the Central Executive Board of the Ikatan Advokat Indonesia (DPP IKADIN) and the West Jakarta Branch Executive Board of the Perhimpunan Advokat Indonesia (PERADI).
The opening ceremony, held at Grand Slipi Tower on Friday (20/2/26), was conducted in a hybrid format, accommodating participants from various regions both onsite and online. The momentum of Ramadan was interpreted as a meaningful starting point in shaping advocates who are not only academically competent but also grounded in integrity and professional ethics.
This initiative responds to the legal sector’s growing demand for professional advocates who are adaptive to regulatory developments and global challenges. Through academic and professional collaboration, FH UPNVJ reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening competency-based legal professional education rooted in morality and social responsibility.
In his keynote speech, Otto Hasibuan emphasized that advocates serve as guardians of justice, bearing moral and constitutional responsibilities to defend the rights of the public. He expressed appreciation for FH UPNVJ’s consistency in organizing a PKPA program oriented toward quality, integrity, and practical relevance. “An advocate is not merely a profession, but a calling to uphold justice and the rule of law,” he stated.
The Dean of FH UPNVJ, Dr. Suherman, S.H., LL.M., noted that collaboration with advocate organizations represents a concrete integration between academia and legal practice. According to him, professional education extends beyond courtroom technicalities to encompass character formation, professional ethics, and social sensitivity to community issues. “PKPA serves as a comprehensive learning platform to produce advocates who are both professional and dedicated to public service,” he remarked.
The Chair of DPC PERADI West Jakarta, Dr. Suhendra Asido Hutabarat, underscored that PKPA constitutes the initial gateway for prospective advocates to understand commitments to legal aid services and pro bono practice. This, he stressed, is essential as part of the profession’s social responsibility in ensuring access to justice for all segments of society.
Similarly, the Secretary General of DPP IKADIN, Dr. Rivai Kusumanegara, highlighted that future legal challenges require advocates who are adaptive, globally minded, and steadfast in maintaining integrity amid competing interests. He affirmed that the quality of Indonesian advocates must continue to be strengthened to remain competitive in both national and international legal landscapes.
The implementation of the 9th PKPA Cohort further reinforces FH UPNVJ’s position as a legal education institution actively contributing to the development of highly qualified human resources in advocacy. The program is designed with a curriculum aligned with professional organizational standards and judicial practice requirements, ensuring participants receive comprehensive preparation before advancing to subsequent stages of the advocate profession.
In a separate statement, the Rector of UPNVJ, Prof. Dr. Anter Venus, M.A., Comm., affirmed that strengthening professional education forms part of the university’s strategic efforts to enhance academic reputation and deliver tangible contributions to society. He emphasized the integration of competence, integrity, and the values of Bela Negara (Defending the Nation) in every UPNVJ graduate. “We are committed to providing legal education that is not only academically excellent but also principled, ethical, and impactful for the nation,” he asserted.
The beginning of Ramadan is expected to serve as both a spiritual reflection and the commencement of a professional journey for the participants of the 9th PKPA Cohort. Through the collaboration between FH UPNVJ, IKADIN, and PERADI West Jakarta, this program not only inaugurates professional education but also lays the foundation for advocates who are professional, ethical, and devoted to upholding justice and the rule of law.(www.upnvj.ac.id)
