Degrees Meaningless Without Real-World Contribution, Says Coordinating Ministry
The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Kemenko PMK) has reminded all fresh graduates that intellectual intelligence and academic degrees will be in vain if not balanced with physical health, mental well-being, and tangible contributions.
Speaking at a briefing during the Universitas Terbuka (UT) Graduation Seminar in South Tangerang on Monday, Deputy for Coordination of Education Quality Improvement at Kemenko PMK, Ojat Darojat, emphasised the importance of a complete competency concept as preparation for the working world. He stated that a young professional must master very deep expertise in their profession, but must also possess a wide breadth of knowledge on issues outside their field.
“Do not let professional teachers end up entangled in legal cases. You must have an understanding of the law. Be wide of knowledge and deep expertise,” he said.
Ojat asserted to all new graduates that the university diploma they have earned is merely a recognition of competence on paper. The true measure of success, he noted, is how that competence is directly contributed to solving problems within society.
To realise this long-term social contribution, he firmly reminded them that physical and mental health are the greatest assets, often forgotten by hard workers at the start of their careers.
“Being smart is not enough, being intelligent is not enough. If you are intelligent and smart but you are sick, then the value is zero. So just working, working, working is not enough. We must also take care of our bodies,” he said.
The former Rector of UT also encouraged the younger generation entering the tough working world to always apply life balance, by proportionally managing time between work, family care, study, socialising, and regular exercise.
Beyond physical fitness, Ojat advised graduates to possess a strong mentality and the courage to try in the face of failure. Just like the stories of great world figures who experienced ups and downs, failure is a normal part of the process towards success.
Concluding his briefing, the Kemenko PMK Deputy highlighted the importance of integrity, honesty, and discipline, which in the modern era must be manifested in the form of wise digital ethics, especially when utilising the leaps in artificial intelligence technology in the professional world.