A Trust That Is Never Finished
Today, 19 August 2026, Indonesia is still in the atmosphere of commemorating the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. Every year, the independence commemoration always brings us to questions about the nation’s journey, how far the ideals of independence have been realised, what has been achieved, and what remains unfinished business. However, this year, the independence commemoration feels present in a slightly different atmosphere.
Amidst the various celebrations and ceremonies taking place in many places, our brothers and sisters in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), are still facing the impact of a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that occurred several days ago. On one side there is joy in commemorating independence, while on the other side there are fellow citizens who are struggling to restore their lives.
Perhaps that is indeed the face of a nation. Independence cannot always be celebrated in perfect circumstances. There are times when we stand with full joy, but there are also times when we must turn to those who are facing difficulties. Independence is not only about raising the flag and singing the national anthem, but also about the willingness to look after one another when some of us are in a state of adversity.
On campus, academic life continues as usual. Doctoral student supervision is still ongoing. Research progress seminars for Informatics doctoral students are still being held. Likewise, closed examinations for doctoral students who have reached the final stage of their research journey. Amidst the independence commemoration, there are students who are still opening their laptops to revise their dissertations, discussing with their promoters, refining their analyses, or preparing themselves for examinations.
That sight may seem simple, but for me it is precisely there that one form of the true meaning of independence is visible. An independent nation is a nation that continues to learn. Independence provides space for people to develop their minds, seek knowledge, conduct research, and build the future with the abilities they possess.
Over the past few days, I have also been observing the educational journey within my own family. Last midnight, 18 August 2026, Najwa Rashika departed for Bandung to meet with her study programme and prepare to begin her Master’s studies in Aerospace Engineering at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). After a long educational journey that ultimately led her to choose to continue her studies at ITB, a new chapter is now about to begin. As a parent, there is a sense of emotion when seeing a child whom we once accompanied to school now depart on her own towards a higher level of education.
Today, 19 August 2026, our family also has another reason to be grateful. Naufal Rasendriya, Najwa’s older brother, is celebrating his 27th birthday. Two simple events, but occurring close together: one child departs to begin a new academic journey, while another child grows a year older. Both remind us that time keeps moving and each generation has its own journey and its own mandate.
Perhaps the same thing also happens in the life of a nation. The Indonesia that today commemorates its 81st independence is not the same Indonesia as eighty-one years ago. Each generation receives this nation in a certain condition, then has the task of safeguarding it, improving it, and handing it over to the next generation in a better state.
Therefore, independence is never a finished task simply because a country has become independent. Each generation has a mandate that must be fulfilled. For the government, that mandate is to deliver policies that are just and in favour of the public interest. For educators, that mandate is to educate a generation that possesses both knowledge and character. For students, that mandate is to study earnestly and use the knowledge they acquire to provide benefit. For society, that mandate is to safeguard communal life, help one another, and not lose concern for fellow human beings.
The earthquake in NTT reminds us that the development of a nation is not only measured by tall buildings, economic growth, or technological progress. The resilience of a nation is also seen in how communities help one another when disaster strikes, how the state is present when the people need it, and how those who are in better circumstances are willing to give some of their abilities to those who are facing difficulties.
Likewise with education: when a student completes a thesis or dissertation, the work of education is not actually finished. The knowledge acquired then carries a new mandate: to be used for teaching, conducting research, solving societal problems, or opening the way for the next generation. A doctor is not merely someone who has obtained a degree, but someone who has received a greater responsibility to develop and share knowledge.
Perhaps that is why I view the supervision, progress seminars, and closed examinations still taking place amidst this independence atmosphere from a slightly different perspective. Every student who is completing their research is actually taking part in the nation’s long journey. Not all of the results will be immediately visible. Some may only provide benefit years later. But just as education takes time, so too does building a nation.
Eighty-one years of Indonesian independence is a long journey, but it is not the end of the journey. Each generation receives a mandate from the previous generation and in time must hand it over to the next generation.