Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) officially inaugurated four new professors from the Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences (FIKK) on Tuesday (23/9/25). However, the ceremony held at the Main Senate Hall of the Rectorate was far more than a routine academic ritual. Through their inaugural lectures, the four professors delivered a shared manifesto that challenged outdated views of sport—calling for a shift away from an obsession with instant achievement toward a more humanistic, scientific, and sustainable approach.
The professors—Prof. Dr. Christina Fajar Sriwahyuniati, M.Or., Prof. Dr. Widiyanto, M.Kes., Prof. Dr. Ermawan Susanto, M.Pd., and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hamid Anwar, M.Phil.—come from different areas of expertise yet articulated a single overarching vision: revitalizing the role of sport as a foundation for character building and the quality of life of the Indonesian people. The inauguration not only reinforced UNY’s standing as a leading center for sports science, but also marked the emergence of a new intellectual movement that places human values—rather than medals alone—at the heart of sport.
In her inaugural address, “Optimizing Fundamental Motor Skill Models in Early-Age Gymnast Athlete Development,” Prof. Dr. Christina Fajar Sriwahyuniati, M.Or. criticized Indonesia’s athlete development system for its tendency to prioritize instant results. According to the Professor of Rhythmic and Artistic Gymnastics Coaching, such an approach often neglects the strengthening of fundamental movement skills (FMS), even though mastery of basic motor skills from an early age is a decisive foundation for long-term athletic success. She urged coaches and educators to reassess development policies to make them more scientific, adaptive, and sustainability-oriented.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Widiyanto, M.Kes., in his lecture titled “The Impact of Physical Activity on Quality of Life Achievement: A Review of Training Adaptation,” emphasized that sport is a long-term investment in quality of life. The Professor of Exercise Physiology Adaptation highlighted the importance of regular, measurable, and well-programmed training to enable both physiological and mental adaptation. He reminded the audience that fitness is a continuous process that cannot be achieved instantly. Beyond physical benefits, he noted, sport also helps reduce stress, strengthen social relationships, and enhance overall life satisfaction.
In his address, “The Role of Learning Evaluation in Improving Swimming Competence and Student Character,” Prof. Dr. Ermawan Susanto, M.Pd. underscored that evaluation in sport should not stop at measuring technical skills alone. The Professor of Swimming Learning Evaluation argued that effective evaluation must also serve as a means of shaping character, discipline, and responsibility. He advocated for the application of a deep learning approach that integrates motor, cognitive, and affective aspects, producing individuals who are not only proficient swimmers but also possess strong character.
Taking a philosophical perspective, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hamid Anwar, M.Phil. delivered his lecture titled “Revitalizing and Reinterpreting the Body in Physical Education and Sport.” The Professor of Philosophy of Physical Education and Sport stressed that sport is not merely a competitive arena for achieving performance, but also a space for cultivating morality, integrity, and sportsmanship. He argued that one of the greatest challenges in today’s sports world is maintaining a balance between performance demands and human values. He called on all stakeholders to position sport as a site of moral education, where success is measured not only by medals but also by the preservation of noble values.
The inauguration of these four professors significantly strengthens UNY’s position as a leading hub for the development of sports and health sciences in Indonesia. With the addition of these scholars, FIKK UNY further reaffirms its commitment to producing innovative research, strengthening evidence-based education, and expanding community engagement. Ultimately, the presence of the four new professors is expected to inspire the next generation of academics and further solidify UNY’s contribution to national development through science and sport.
