YOGYAKARTA – Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M.Soc.Sc., called for unity in resolving difficult issues facing the country amidst the unhealthy political competition in the run-up to the 2014 General Election. “Amidst the volatile political condition, don’t run out our energy in resolving them. It’s time for everyone to give solutions,” said Pratikno after giving a speech during the celebration ceremony to mark UGM’s 63rd anniversary in the auditorium of Grha Sabha Pramana on Wednesday (18/12).
To the candidates for national leaders who will be competing in the 2014 Elections, Pratikno said that Universitas Gadjah Mada plans to offer solutions amidst the condition where independence in economy, food, energy and drugs have not been gained. “We would offer solutions to leader candidates. We want to know their response. We hope that this solution would become a socio-political contract,” said the professor in Government Studies in the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of UGM.
According to Pratikno, the solutive offer is very important for leader candidates and the public to know, because the constitution has given the president bigger power than before, making programmes being undertaken uncontrolled nor monitored.
Further said by Pratikno, Indonesia needs a breakthrough in ideas and measures in resolving domestic issues, building independence and sovereignty, and UGM has a role in assisting Indonesia to have a significant role in leadership at world level. “UGM will put ideas in real measures and provide solutions to nations’ problems,” he said.
Historian from UGM, Prof. Dr. Bambang Purwanto, said that UGM’s care and contribution in offering solutions is very relevant as the value of UGM is basically Indonesia’s nationalistic spirit, embodied in care and responsibility for the future of the nation through science and culture to build progress and prosperity for society. Such spirit positions the state ideology of Pancasila as a culture, so historically it makes UGM as one hub for diversity and care. “UGM is not only a higher learning institution but an expressive and symbolical dimension of Indonesia’s nasionalism,” said Bambang Purwanto delivering a scientific speech during the UGM’s anniversary.