Thousands of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) community members participated in the Pancasila Day commemoration ceremony in the Balairung courtyard on Saturday (June 1).
The ceremony was conducted solemnly, but what stood out was that the ceremony officials, mostly non-teaching staff who usually work at the UGM Central Office, wore historical struggle uniforms.
Meanwhile, the ceremony participants, including lecturers and staff, wore black and white uniforms.
In her address as the ceremony leader, the Rector of UGM, Professor Ova Emilia, stated that the Pancasila Day commemoration is a moment to revitalize Pancasila’s values in the lives of the nation and state.
The rector called on all UGM members to ground and enliven Pancasila in daily life practices with a spirit of harmony and respect for differences to support future development.
“Because within diversity lies strength and positive energy to advance civilization,” she said.
The rector explained that Pancasila plays a crucial role as a unifier of all diversities, as it is built from the fundamental values of diversity that pulsate through the Indonesian nation. This unifying value is not intended as a vision of uniformity but to strengthen the unity of a plural nation.
According to her, appreciation for the nation’s plurality inherently becomes an essential foundation for all citizens’ dimensions of freedom, equality, and justice, just as Pancasila stands as an inseparable unity of five principles.
“Pancasila becomes an umbrella uniting the nation’s diversity, respecting and honoring differences, and placing the nation’s interests above personal or group interests,” she stated.
On this occasion, the rector noted that Indonesia is predicted to experience a demographic bonus in 2045, with 70% of the population being of productive age.
This high productive age must be balanced with increased competency capacity to minimize the risks that may arise, such as high unemployment rates, poverty, health crises, and increased crime rates.
The rector added that the education sector, which plays a role in enlightening the nation’s life, becomes a key factor in developing quality human resources and future civilization.
UGM, as an educational institution, is mandated to contribute to the development, scientific advancement, and strengthening of the character of dignified young generations ready to face global competition.
“Through the ‘University without wall’ learning paradigm, UGM provides inclusive knowledge access to the wider community,” she emphasized.
As an inclusive campus, UGM is also committed to equalizing access to education and providing innovative, strategic, competitive, and synergistic learning opportunities that allow students to develop their potential.
The rector mentioned several UGM programs promoting campus inclusivity by recruiting new students based on geography to reach students from the frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped (3T) regions.
UGM also offers inclusive learning programs through the UGM online platform and full open online courses (MOOCs) and modular courses as part of what UGM offers.
Additionally, UGM encourages the spirit of interprofessional collaboration to drive innovation and scientific development.
“These work programs reflect how the values of Pancasila are embraced and lived together at Universitas Gadjah Mada through the spirit of inclusion, tolerance, and cooperation,” she concluded.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Donnie