Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP), through its Library and Publishing Unit, implements a public access policy for information and knowledge resources as part of its institutional contribution to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, particularly in expanding learning opportunities and promoting lifelong learning. This commitment is formalised in the 2025 Public Access Policy Document of the UNP Library and Publishing Unit, which regulates access to library collections, digital information resources, and scholarly publications for the university community and members of the general public who are not enrolled as UNP students.

The implementation of this policy is supported by several information retrieval facilities, including the official library website (https://lib.unp.ac.id), the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) (http://opac.unp.ac.id), the UNP Institutional Repository (https://repository.unp.ac.id), and electronic journal and scholarly publication platforms. These information resources enable members of the public to explore references, scholarly works, and academic publications to support knowledge development and independent learning. Access to UNP publications is also facilitated through the university’s official publishing platform, subject to the applicable open-licensing policies.

In addition to providing digital access facilities, UNP facilitates public visits to the library through a guest-user arrangement. Visitors may consult designated collections on-site in accordance with established library regulations. This arrangement reflects the institution’s efforts to broaden public utilisation of its knowledge resources while maintaining appropriate provisions for collection management, service procedures, and copyright protection.

Through these policies and facilities, the UNP Library and Publishing Unit fulfils a strategic role in disseminating knowledge and expanding learning opportunities beyond formal educational settings. Access to information resources and scholarly publications can support information literacy, independent learning, and the continuous development of community capacity. Accordingly, UNP’s public access policy represents an institutional commitment to inclusive education and lifelong learning, while reinforcing the university’s role as a centre of knowledge that serves the wider community.

Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP) demonstrates its commitment to knowledge development and community capacity building through educational activities that extend beyond formal classroom learning. These activities provide students and the wider community with opportunities to acquire knowledge, broaden their perspectives, and improve their understanding of issues relevant to everyday life. This initiative aligns with the principle of lifelong learning, which emphasizes the continuous development of knowledge, skills, and awareness. In this regard, universities serve not only as providers of formal education but also as centres for knowledge dissemination and community empowerment.

One example of this commitment was the Blood Donation Seminar organized by the Student Volunteer Corps of the Indonesian Red Cross (KSR PMI) of UNP on 12 June 2025 at the Multipurpose Hall of the Faculty of Engineering, in collaboration with the Blood Donation Unit (UDD) and Gaia Dental Clinic. Held to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of KSR PMI UNP, the seminar adopted the theme “Many Benefits: Let Us Understand Blood Products!”. The event aimed to raise public awareness of the importance and benefits of blood donation, introduce blood products, and improve participants' understanding of the health considerations involved in donating blood.

The seminar was attended by more than 200 participants, comprising university students and members of the surrounding community. In addition to the educational sessions, free health check-ups were provided to participants. The combination of knowledge-sharing sessions and healthcare services demonstrates UNP's efforts to deliver learning activities that not only enhance public knowledge but also provide practical benefits to the community. Collaboration among student organizations, blood donation service providers, and healthcare practitioners further strengthened the outreach and impact of the initiative in improving public health literacy.

From a lifelong learning perspective, the seminar represents a form of non-formal education that enables individuals to acquire practical knowledge beyond conventional educational settings. Understanding blood donation is expected to increase health awareness, encourage regular blood donation, and foster a greater sense of social responsibility and solidarity. Through this initiative, UNP reinforces its role in expanding learning opportunities, improving public health literacy, and contributing to the development of a more knowledgeable, health-conscious, and socially responsible society.

Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP) contributes to expanding public access to skills-based learning through vocational training initiatives focused on practical competencies and local economic development. These activities represent the application of university expertise to support non-formal learning opportunities for individuals outside the active student population. Through practice-oriented training, community members have opportunities to develop competencies that may be applied to productive activities and entrepreneurship.

One example was the lokan rendang processing training conducted in Airpura, South Pesisir Regency, in 2025. The activity involved 20 housewives and focused on processing lokan into value-added culinary products, applying hygienic and attractive packaging, and introducing digital marketing strategies. The training aimed to strengthen participants’ skills in utilizing local food resources while introducing product development and marketing as important components of community-based enterprise development.

In addition, through its Programme and Village Integration Programme (PIPN), UNP organized innovative karipap production, packaging, and marketing training in the Cultural Village of Payakumbuh from 1 to 3 August 2025. The activity involved 10 members of the Family Welfare Movement (PKK) and provided practical learning in culinary product innovation, hygienic packaging techniques, and the use of social media for marketing. Guidance from lecturers of UNP’s Diploma III Culinary Arts Study Programme enabled participants to acquire knowledge and skills relevant to the development of local culinary products.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate UNP’s contribution to providing skills-based learning opportunities for the public beyond formal education. The practice-oriented training enables participants to develop competencies in food processing, product innovation, and marketing that may be applied to entrepreneurial activities. Accordingly, these programmes support lifelong learning, community empowerment, and economic self-reliance through the productive use of local resources.

Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP) implements training and learning activities outside the campus as part of its commitment to the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, particularly community engagement. These initiatives aim to strengthen community capacity, enhance practical competencies, and apply academic knowledge to address societal needs. The activities include capacity-building programs for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as well as skills development for communities involved in sustainable tourism.

One such initiative was a training program on the use of the Financial Information Recording Application System (SIAPIK) for digital printing MSMEs in Lubuk Alung, Padang Pariaman Regency, on 21 August 2025. The program involved 12 participants representing 10 businesses and comprised instructional sessions, application familiarization, and practical simulations of business transaction recording. The training focused on improving participants’ financial record-keeping capabilities and their ability to prepare basic financial statements in accordance with Indonesian Financial Accounting Standards for Micro, Small, and Medium Entities (SAK EMKM). This initiative supports the development of financial literacy and technology-based business management competencies.

UNP also conducted a sustainable tourism development training program in Tuapejat, the Mentawai Islands Regency, from 21 to 23 July 2025. The program involved 30 participants from tourism groups, fishing communities, and the local population. Training activities covered souvenir production, organizational structure development, recreational sports as a tourism attraction, and environmental cleanliness and conservation. Participants also took part in practical sessions involving woodball, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and snorkeling. The provision of sports equipment and souvenir-making materials further supported the practical application of the skills acquired during the program.

Taken together, these initiatives demonstrate UNP’s contribution to expanding access to non-formal learning through participatory and practice-oriented approaches. Beyond knowledge transfer, the programs emphasize the development of competencies relevant to local economic needs and community potential. Accordingly, these activities contribute to community capacity-building, local enterprise development, and tourism practices that consider social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP) affirms its commitment to inclusive and equitable lifelong learning through Rector’s Regulation Number 19 of 2023 on Equal Assurance (Jaminan Kesetaraan). This regulation provides an institutional framework for strengthening the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and accessibility across the university. These principles are intended to promote equitable opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to access educational activities and participate in competency development.

Within this policy framework, equality of access constitutes an important principle governing academic and non-academic activities. Students, lecturers, education personnel, and community members are supported in accessing learning activities, training, research, and community engagement opportunities without discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, or other social backgrounds. This institutional approach reflects an effort to reduce barriers to participation and broaden opportunities for the continuous development of knowledge and skills.

The implementation of these principles is supported by efforts to foster an inclusive learning environment, provide facilities that address accessibility requirements, and establish appropriate learning support for persons with disabilities. Furthermore, preventing discrimination and strengthening awareness of equality are essential to creating an educational environment that respects diversity, promotes safety, and facilitates the participation of the university community and the wider public.

Through this policy, UNP reinforces the institutional foundations for lifelong learning based on equal opportunities, social inclusion, and the continuous development of individual capabilities. This commitment aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, particularly its emphasis on inclusive and equitable quality education and the expansion of lifelong learning opportunities for all.