Minister Brian Yuliarto urges UNIDA Gontor to make research a solution to national problems

Ponorogo, East Java (ANTARA) - Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Brian Yuliarto has urged the University of Darussalam (UNIDA) Gontor to ensure that the research, studies and academic works of its academic community do not merely remain within the campus environment, but instead provide solutions to various societal and national problems. The message was conveyed by Brian during the Grand Reunion commemorating UNIDA Gontor’s 63rd anniversary and the 100th anniversary of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor at the Gontor Hall, Gontor Village, Mlarak District, Ponorogo Regency, East Java, on Sunday. “We entrust that Pondok Modern Gontor can have a greater impact. The programmes carried out at all levels, research at UNIDA, undergraduate theses, master’s theses and doctoral dissertations should, if possible, be linked to the nation’s problems, whether in Ponorogo, East Java or Indonesia,” Brian said. He stated that academic works from higher education institutions must be able to become part of solving real problems within society. Therefore, the research results at UNIDA Gontor are expected to be applicable and serve as an example of higher education’s contribution to national development. He assessed that Gontor’s main strength lies in character building, integrity, noble character (akhlakul karimah) and language skills, which equip its alumni in various fields. “The strengths that Pondok Modern Gontor has consistently produced are noble character, integrity and language skills. We hope this will continue,” he said. Brian expressed hope that more Gontor cadres would contribute to strategic state institutions, so that the values of integrity and character built by the pesantren can influence various public policies. Meanwhile, UNIDA Gontor Rector Prof KH Hamid Fahmy Zarkasyi explained that UNIDA is a pesantren-based higher education institution that continues the education system of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor. “We maintain the pondok system; all students live in dormitories and receive intensive guidance from the lecturers,” he said. Hamid explained that UNIDA’s education system not only assesses academic performance but also builds students’ character and exemplary conduct through various extracurricular activities. In addition to the Grade Point Average (GPA), students are also evaluated through activities such as organisational involvement, Quran memorisation, religious activities, and community engagement skills. “Intellectual excellence alone is not enough for living in society. We use the campus as a medium for learning how to live in a community, organise, lead and collaborate,” he concluded.