Igniting Action, Maintaining Direction
On a Monday morning, 21 September 2026, the campus atmosphere felt different than usual. New students began entering the 2026 Student Potential Exploration (PPM) series, themed ‘The Journey Begins: Ignite Action, Break Boundaries.’ Fresh faces, surging enthusiasm, and the bustle of various activities signalled that their academic journey had officially commenced.
However, for a university, the start of the academic year is not merely about the excitement of welcoming new students. Behind the scenes, various academic activities and governance processes continue in tandem. Lecturers are preparing to re-enter classrooms, research and community service (PkM) activities are entering evaluation and accountability stages, while the leadership prepares various steps to ensure the entire process runs smoothly.
This week, for instance, amidst the PPM series, we at the LPPM participated in online discussions and Q&A sessions with the BPK (Audit Board of Indonesia) team regarding the confirmation of research and community service data in private universities. This was followed by the alignment of perceptions for internal Monitoring and Evaluation (Monev) reviewers for the 2026 Priority Research Downstreaming Programme, alongside socialisation of assessment procedures via the Hiliriset application.
On the other hand, the pulse of academic learning has also begun to beat. As a lecturer, I returned to greet Master’s students in Informatics for the Research Methodology course, both in regular and Distance Learning (PJJ) classes this Wednesday, 23 September 2026. Tomorrow, Thursday, 24 September 2026, I will meet Doctoral (S3) Informatics students for the Research Methodology and Philosophy of Science course.
At first glance, these various agendas appear to be separate activities with different focuses. However, if a common thread is drawn, they all belong to the same cycle: learning, researching, evaluating, and learning again. The start of the academic year serves as a momentum when various roles within the university move once more, each with their respective duties and responsibilities.
This sequence demonstrates that university life never truly stops. While one wave of new students begins their journey, students at higher levels are continuing their stages. When lecturers step into the classroom, research is being evaluated in another room. And when the evaluation of 2026 Student Admissions (PMB) is discussed at the leadership level alongside preparations for Diploma and Bachelor’s degree lectures, all campus elements are essentially moving within a single, interconnected ecosystem.
Perhaps this is what keeps the dynamics of a university alive. Various activities run in parallel, but they ultimately converge on the same goal: ensuring the educational process continues to move and provide meaningful learning experiences.
For new students at Universitas Amikom Yogyakarta, the 2026 PPM with the theme ‘The Journey Begins’ marks that their journey has truly started. There are classrooms waiting to be brought to life with discussion, knowledge to be learned, critical questions to be asked, and various experiences that will slowly shape their character.
For lecturers, this journey serves as a reminder of new responsibilities in every semester. It is not just about delivering knowledge, but about guiding students to find clear ways of thinking, building resilience, and eventually enabling them to use their knowledge to address various life problems.
The continuity of the process, as well as the will and ability to keep moving after completing one task, also serves as an important reminder. Allah SWT says: ‘So when you have finished [from one task], then stand up [for the next task]. And to your Lord direct [your] longing.’ (QS Ash-Sharh: 7–8)
One semester ends, another begins. One research project concludes, and new questions await investigation. One group of students completes their studies, and the next group arrives bringing new hopes and journeys. A new academic year is an opportunity to ensure that every step has a direction.
It is hoped that at the start of this academic year’s journey, we are not only enthusiastic about igniting action and attempting to break boundaries, but also constantly maintaining our direction. For education is not just about how far we travel, but about what we dedicate our knowledge and abilities towards. Wallāhu a’lam.