With the spirit of “Recover Faster, Rise Stronger”, Universitas Indonesia (UI) held a ceremony to commemorate the 77th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia at the UI Rotunda Field on Wednesday (17/8). The ceremony was attended by representatives of the academic community consisting of leaders, lecturers, students, and education staff. Acting as the master of ceremonies at the commemoration was UI Rector, Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D.
On this occasion, Prof. Ari read the remarks of the Indonesian Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, B.A., M.B.A., about global collaboration in improving the quality of education to support the G20 Presidency. The learning process in Indonesia today is increasingly in favor of students and liberates teachers to be creative in teaching through the Merdeka Curriculum and Merdeka Mengajar platform.
Efforts to expand access to quality education are also made through the School Operational Assistance mechanism and various scholarship programs so that students who have financial limitations can continue to access education. This is done by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology as an effort to prepare young Indonesians who are trained in the world of work and community life, which is provided by the Kampus Merdeka program.
In the cultural sector, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology in the G20 forum encouraged countries in the world to provide funding support for artists and cultural actors so that they can return to inspire with their best works, especially in the post-pandemic period. This initiative is a continuation of the groundbreaking cultural endowment fund and Indonesia’s first cultural channel that has been launched and provided many benefits for cultural activists.
“The things mentioned above are only a small part of the Merdeka Belajar breakthrough, which has now reached 21 episodes. There are still many episodes of Merdeka Belajar that we will launch, until all children throughout Indonesia feel true independence, namely learning happily, working without obstacles, running towards the future with courage as Pancasila Students,” said Prof. Ari quoting Nadiem’s statement.
One of the freedoms in accessing education is felt by new UI students who come from Manokwari City, West Papua. Demos Yovano Mansayori Karubaba, expressed his pride at being accepted as a student majoring in International Relations, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UI.
Demos said that during the two years of the pandemic, when learning was done online, he and his friends in Manokwari relied on the weather to get smooth internet access. If the weather is fine, learning goes smoothly, but if the weather is bad, learning at school is hampered. Even so, Demos’ fighting spirit has not waned. He actively studied and participated in various competitions until he was included in the list of eligible students who were entitled to participate in the National Selection for State Universities (SNMPTN).
“It is rare for Papuans to enter a university, let alone the number one university in Indonesia. This is a challenge for me to prove that Papuans can also study at UI. Praise God, thanks to the efforts and hard work, I was accepted at UI. Through this opportunity, in the future I hope to become a Papuan who represents Indonesia to introduce the culture of Papua and Indonesia in the international arena, and be able to improve the welfare of Papuans so that we are no longer underestimated,” said Demos who was the Commander of the Troops at the 77th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony at UI.
UI’s concern for expanding access and improving the quality of education is also shown through awards to outstanding lecturers at the UI level in 2022. The awards were given to Dr. dr. Rina Agustina from the Faculty of Medicine as Outstanding Lecturer in the Health Sciences Category; Dr. M. Sahlan, S.Si., M.Eng. from the Faculty of Engineering as Outstanding Lecturer in the Science and Technology Category; and Desi Adhariani, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D. from the Faculty of Economics and Business as Outstanding Lecturer in the Social and Humanities Category.
In addition to a series of ceremonies, in commemoration of the Indonesian Independence Day, UI also carried out a vertical rescue demonstration carried out by a team from the UI Technical Implementation Unit for Safety, Occupational Health and Environment (TIU OHS) in collaboration with UI Hospital Occupational Health and Safety (HospOHS). This vertical rescue (VR) simulation is a patient evacuation simulation carried out from the 5th floor of the hospital building to the ground floor at the RSUI Building with a height of approximately 40 meters. This activity is carried out as a form of improving the quality of health services for a stronger Indonesia.
“Congratulations on the 77th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence in 2022 for all levels of Indonesian society, especially for educators, education personnel, and students throughout the country. Let us continue to work together to restore and revive an independent Indonesia, and realize Merdeka Belajar,” said Nadim in Prof. Ari’s speech.
