Universitas Gadjah Mada collaborating with MNC Group held a discussion at the UGM Corner event. In the special occasion this time to celebrate UGM’s 67 anniversary, UGM Corner raised the theme Role of UGM in Nurturing Diversity at the Wisma MM UGM on Thursday (15/12).
The discussion presented resource persons who are Secretary of Center for Religious and Cross-Cultural Studies (CRCS) UGM, Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Ahnaf, and Head of Pancasila Studies Centre UGM, Dr. Heri Santoso, M.Hum.
Iqbal said that diversity was very important to understand and give significance. Diversity is a wealth and foundation of the Indonesian state. The fact is that presently recognition of diversity is being questioned. According to Iqbal, this happened because Indonesia is experiencing changes. “Now what we need to do is how the social and political changes facing Indonesia would not weaken the diversity that has become the pillar of our nationhood,” said Iqbal.
Iqbal saw UGM has an important role to play in nurturing the culture, especially in Yogyakarta area. Having students from regions rich in culture, UGM is able to nurture such diversity to be conducive. Iqbal is of the opinion that diversity not only comes in the form of freedom of speech but also culture. “The culture of Yogyakarta allows the creation of freedom of culture and UGM had been established to sustain those rich cultures as the capital of the nation,” said Iqbal.
The other speaker, Heri Santoso, illustrated the efforts made by UGM to nurture diversity. Since the induction programme for new students, the students are taught to nurture diversity. When they will graduate, they have to undergo the student community service programme at various parts of the country. “Since becoming a new student up to the graduation, UGM students are taught and trained how to nurture diversity,” said Heri.