Jogjakarta – The author of Cintaku di Kampus Biru novel, Drs. Ashadi Siregar, officially retired as lecturer of Communication Sciences Department, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Saturday (3/7). The celebration of Bang Hadi’s, as he is popularly called, retirement was celebrated by colleagues, friends and his former students by publishing a book entitled Ashadi Siregar: Common Sense Keeper from Blue Campus. Many famous names also contributed their opinions about Ashadi to the 374-pages book, including Jakob Oetama, Goenawan Mohamad, Daniel Dhakidae, Garin Nugroho, Emha Ainun Nadjib, and Butet Kartaredjasa.
Editorial chief of Media Indonesia, Saur Hutabarat, attending in the launching and book discussion mentioned that Ashadi is not the person who is flattered by pragmatism. Ashadi is known as having firm hold of principles. He is a disciplined lecturer. “Although moving from place to place to avoid his fans, Ashadi used to come to class on time, giving the materials prepared before and dismissing the class on schedule. He is never irresponsible, let alone getting late in submitting exam grades to the academic staff,” said Saur who has known Ashadi since year 1974 when he was a student of Publicism Department.
In Saur’s opinion, Ashadi is a teacher who listens to suggestions from younger people. “Many teachers have intelligence but not the willingness to patiently listen from the younger people,” he said.
Although knowing that Ashadi does not like ceremonial events, let alone celebrating his retirement by launching a book, Saur has another reason. The book is one of appreciations to Ashadi who holds on common sense in Indonesia’s journalistic development. “For 40 years, Bang Hadi sticks to the principle of common sense. We know that courage is not measured by how we oppose against those in power, but how we hold on to common sense. This nation doesn’t only need intelligence, but also common sense,” he added.
It is different from what Rizal Mallarangeng, Executive Director of Freedom Institute, has to say about Ashadi. For Rizal, Ashadi is a lecturer as well as a mentor and friend. “He gave motivation without acting like a teacher. If arguing or disagreeing with an idea, he only smiles a little bit cynically but not underestimating or opposing the other,” Rizal said.
Not only Saur and Rizal but also his students and colleagues delivered testimonials about Ashadi. Not few of them are funny stories about Ashadi. By the end of their testimonials, they still congratulated him, “Happy Birthday, Bang!”
Ashadi Siregar was born in Pematang Siantar, 3 July 1954. He completed his Primary School until Senior High Scool in Kalimantan and graduated from Publicism Department, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM in 1970. Four years later, Ashadi was inaugurated as permanent lecturer, maintaining his civil servant status until his retirement this year. Apart from his popularity as novelist, he is also considered as expert in journalism and communication sciences despite his bachelor degree.