Bima Arya Urges Students to Become Cosmopolitan with Strong Character

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Bima Arya Sugiarto, has encouraged new students at the University of Muhammadiyah Surabaya to grow into a cosmopolitan generation possessing global insights, an activist mindset, and a profound love for Indonesia. According to him, a cosmopolitan generation is not merely one capable of adapting to global developments.

He shared these sentiments while serving as a speaker during the Campus Dynamics Orientation Talkshow (ORDIK) at the University of Muhammadiyah Surabaya, East Java, on Tuesday (15/9). A cosmopolitan generation is expected to develop capacity and create works on a global level without abandoning their character or their devotion to Indonesia.

Students also need to possess an activist mindset to continue producing meaningful work and providing benefits to society, while making national values an integral part of their identity. “God willing, your mindset should be that of an activist. Possessing global works and a nationalist heart,” Bema stated in a written release on Wednesday (16/9/2026).

Bima added that this spirit aligns with the principle of fastabiqul khairat, which is a key tenet within Muhammadiyah. The spirit of competing in goodness not only encourages individuals to be beneficial but also serves as an effort to increase personal capacity while bringing a positive impact to the environment.

Consequently, Bima invited new students to take pride in being part of Muhammadiyah and to utilise the environment as a space for continuous growth. He noted that Muhammadiyah possesses an extensive ecosystem of education, social service, and community engagement, making it an ideal platform for the younger generation to develop themselves and expand their contributions.

In addition to global capacity and insight, Bima emphasised the importance of character as the foundation of success. He noted that while competence is required to bring someone to the peak of success, character is necessary to sustain that achievement. “What brings you to the top is competence. But what makes you stay at the top is character,” he asserted.

Bima explained that character is reflected through perseverance, the ability to manage time, the willingness to listen to others, and the readiness to face various challenges. In his view, such character is not formed instantly but through a long process that is often invisible behind a person’s achievements.

Bima likened success to the iceberg phenomenon. The public often only sees the visible success, such as wealth, popularity, or influence. However, behind those achievements lies a long process built through patience, discipline, the willingness to listen, prayer, and the ability to face challenges.

In this journey, Bima also reminded students not to ignore the role of those around them. The support and prayers of others can help an individual achieve success and ensure they do not easily fall when facing difficulties.

Therefore, Bima urged students to expand their friendships while maintaining social bonds (silaturahmi). He introduced the concept of the ‘Circle of Esteem’—a friendship environment consisting of people who mutually encourage, help, pray for, strengthen, and remind one another.

Bima advised students to remain within an environment conducive to personal development. Students can be friends with anyone and pursue any field, but they must build a close inner circle that can provide positive influence on their journey toward becoming leaders. “You can be friends with anyone. But you must choose close friends who bring mutual benefit,” he concluded.