Deputy Minister Encourages Use of Digital Technology for Sharing Knowledge
Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Angga Raka Prabowo has encouraged the use of digital technology developments to share knowledge, as demonstrated by Melan Achmad, also known as Mbah Guru Matematika.
Angga Raka Prabowo presented an award in the Satria SDM Emas category to Melan Achmad, an educator who continues to dedicate himself to sharing knowledge by teaching mathematics free of charge through digital platforms and reaching the public through learning content, despite having reached the age of 79.
“Mr Melan sets an example that age is not a limit to continuing to provide benefits. Digital technology can actually become a space for sharing knowledge with the public more widely,” said Angga in an official statement received in Jakarta on Monday.
When presenting the award at the peak of the third anniversary celebration of Garuda TV titled Mahayuga in Jakarta on Sunday (9/8), Angga Raka Prabowo assessed that contributions such as those made by Melan Achmad carry important meaning as digital technology increasingly becomes part of people’s lives.
“What we see in Mr Melan is not merely the ability to teach mathematics. There is a spirit of continuing to learn, share, and use technology as an educational tool,” he said.
Melan Achmad began his career as an educator in 1970 in Aceh and later continued his service in Purworejo, Central Java. After nearly five decades of teaching and retiring in 2018, he has continued his educational activities through social media.
With the help of his child, Melan began creating mathematics learning content through the TikTok account @binaprestasiswa. This activity has made mathematics material accessible to the public more widely without being limited by the classroom.
His dedication also earned him an award from President Prabowo Subianto at the 2024 National Teachers’ Day commemoration. At that time, Melan received an award in the form of a plaque, a laptop, and Rp100 million in cash.
According to Angga, Melan’s journey demonstrates the importance of building a digital ecosystem that provides space for the public to produce and disseminate knowledge.
“This is a concrete example of how digital transformation can give space to anyone to continue working and providing benefits. We want more and more people to use technology for productive purposes and to provide value to society,” he said.