National Awakening Day, Ibas Urges Students: Become an Adaptive, Collaborative, Progressive Generation

That readiness is to enable them to become a golden generation that is adaptable, collaborative, and a source of solutions to Indonesia’s future challenges. Chair of the Democratic Party Faction in the DPR RI, at the keynote speech in the National Unity Seminar marking National Awakening Day, entitled ‘Learn Now, Act Tomorrow, Carve a Great Future, The Golden Generation Build the Nation’. The seminar was attended by hundreds of students from various universities, including ISIMU Pacitan, University of Indonesia, Defense University, UIN Jakarta, and Jakarta State University. In his speech, the Democratic Party member of Parliament for East Java IX (VII? The original says Dapil Jawa Timur VII) group reminded that education should not be merely defined as a process of obtaining a degree. He said that students have a greater responsibility to shape national identity and become the generation of the next that can bring positive change to Indonesia. ‘I am confident that the students present today are not only seeking degrees, but are also forging themselves to become a generation that has a national identity,’ said Ibas, in a statement, Wednesday (20/5/2026). The S2 graduate of Nanyang Technological University also emphasised that the spirit of National Awakening Day should be understood in a broader sense, not merely to preserve the nation’s philosophy, but also to understand the importance of education in building Indonesia’s future. He urged young people to actively monitor the government’s course through constructive criticism, maintain unity, fight for justice, and ensure every policy ends in the welfare of the people. ‘National Awakening Day is not only about maintaining the nation’s philosophy, but how we understand the meaning of education and participate in overseeing development while prioritising unity, justice, and national welfare,’ said Ibas. Furthermore, the Vice Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) explained that the ultimate goal of national development is the creation of public welfare. Therefore, development must be able to deliver a smarter, more educated life, and strengthen Indonesia’s position as a developed and sovereign country. According to IPB University PhD graduate, the quality of human resources is the key to realising these ambitions. He reminded that true education does not only shape intellectual intelligence, but also moral maturity and personality. ‘You must become a moral compass for yourselves. True education is education that forms a person not only intellectually smart but also morally mature and well-behaved,’ Ibas said. The Deputy General Chair of the Democratic Party also encouraged the younger generation to emerge as solutions to various national problems, from poverty, technology disruption, the environment, to unemployment. He asked students not only to be spectators but also drivers and clarifiers of information in society. ‘Be the generation that is adaptive, collaborative, and progressive. I want you to be the golden generation that is smart, of character, innovative, caring, and continues to build your nation. This country is too vast to be looked after by a single group; we can only move forward if we walk together,’ Ibas asserted. Meanwhile, ISIMU Pacitan Rector Dr. Ahmadi expressed appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity given to students to attend the meeting at the DPR RI building and dialogue with Ibas. He said the experience was a valuable moment that rekindled the students’ spirit, hope, and self-confidence, especially for those from the region. Ahmadi assessed that the academic visit was not merely an educational journey, but also an experience that broadens students’ national awareness of democracy, leadership, and Indonesia’s future. He also noted that the warm reception and nation-building messages delivered by Ibas had provided great motivation for students to continue learning, maintain integrity, and contribute to the nation. ‘Our students return not only with trip documentation but also with inspiration, hope, and new confidence that children from the regions also have equal opportunities to dream big and take part in building Indonesia,’ concluded Ahmadi. The national seminar was also attended by the Chairman of the Regional Leadership Council of Muhammadiyah (PDM) of Pacitan, who is also the ISIMU Pacitan Daily Supervisory Board, Suprayitno Ahmad. The presence of academics, education figures, and hundreds of students from various universities added to the energy of the national discussion, which was warm and enthusiastic. (prf/ega)