In education human plays a leading role, both as subject as well as object. While science has a role as the medium, it serves to humanize human beings as one of its objectives as well as the ability to answer the various current issues or to anticipate the inevitable future.
This was conveyed by the Rector of UGM Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D at UGM Hall, Monday, May 2, 2011 when he led the National Education Day commemoration ceremony. The current National Education Day raised the theme “Character Education as The Pillars of National Awakening, Reach for Excellent Achievement and Cherish the Honorable Manner" and was attended by the leaders of the university, the Board of Trustees, the Academic Senate, Council of Professors, lecturers, and non-education personnel, students and excellent students.
"That's why education is complex, challenging but noble. The complexity and challenges continue to grow over time. Therefore, we must deal with it together and continue to strive earnestly to address the issue, for the glory of ourselves, country and humanity," said the Rector when reading the speech of the National Education Minister of Indonesia.
In front of the participants of the ceremony, Rector states that he understands and realizes the global and internal challenges, thus he expects the Indonesian people to further strengthen themselves, their identity and their character as a nation. A variety of natural resources and human potential actually really opened the opportunity to become a great, advanced, democratic and prosperous nation. "Therefore, with a strong optimism, hard work and knowledge and togetherness, God willing, we can make that goal happen. This is why character-based education with all its dimensions and variations become important and decisive," he said.
He asserted that the target character was not only merely glory-based character, but at the same time to build a glorious character as a nation. So the character that needs to be formed is not just politeness, but at the same time a character that can grow intellectual curiosity as capital to build creativity and innovation. "It is a character that relies on the love and pride of the Nation with Pancasila, the NKRI Constitution 1945, and Republic of Indonesia as the pillars," said the Rector.
Responding to the actual developments with the emergence of destructive, anarchist and radical behavior, the Rector hopes that education has a great role and responsibility. Therefore, at this opportunity the Rector invites the education stakeholders, especially schools, teachers, Higher Education leaders and lecturers to continue to give greater attention and assistance to the learners in shaping and growing the patterns of thought and behavior based on love, tolerant of diversity that is justified by the rules and regulations.
"Supplementary attention could be given in the form of providing a positive selectivity space, which can prevent the growth of destructive, anarchists, violent and radical thoughts and behavior," said the Rector quoting remarks of the National Education Minister.