Universities play a strategic role as centres of civilisation and human values
Universities must play a strategic role as centres of civilisation and human values. As The Cradle of Civilisation, they are the womb where civilisation is born and nurtured. Technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, must be guided by ethics and human values.
“If civilisation is the body of our progress, ethics is the soul that brings it to life,” said Ramlan Siregar, Chairman of the Foundation for Advancing Science and Culture, at the Universitas Nasional (Unas) Graduation Ceremony for the 2025/2026 Academic Year in Jakarta on Sunday (31 May 2026).
A total of 1,838 graduates were conferred, comprising 1,695 bachelor’s degree holders, 135 master’s graduates, and 8 doctoral graduates. Rektor El Amry Bermawi Putera stated that graduation is not the end of academic journey but the beginning of service and tangible contributions to society.
“The knowledge, experiences, and values gained at Unas should equip graduates to work, contribute, and provide solutions for society. Uphold integrity as the foundation, master digital and social skills, and commit to lifelong learning,” said the Rektor.
According to him, the academic achievements of graduates reflect the effectiveness of Unas’s teaching and mentoring system. Among bachelor’s students, 70% graduated on time with an average GPA of 3.76, while 49% of postgraduate students graduated on schedule with an average GPA of 3.88.
In addition to academic achievements, Unas has recorded numerous student accolades at national and international levels, including the ASEAN International Exhibition of Digital Innovation Creativepreneur 3.0, the International Moslem Pencak Silat Championship 2025, and several karate competitions. “These achievements demonstrate our students excel not only academically but also compete globally through creativity, innovation, and strong character,” said El Amry.
The graduation ceremony, themed ‘Universities as Centres of Culture, Civilisation, and Ethics,’ was attended by Environment Minister M Jumhur Hidayat, Culture Minister and Honorary Professor at Unas Prof Fadli Zon, Head of Regional III Higher Education Service (LLDIKTI) Henri Tambunan, Head of Basic and Secondary Education Policy Agency Prof Toni Toharudin, and Governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) Tubagus Ace Hasan Syadzily.
In his academic speech, Environment Minister and Head of the Environmental Control Agency M Jumhur Hidayat urged graduates to be a generation not only pursuing personal success but also contributing to environmental sustainability and humanity’s future.
“The Earth is not merely an inheritance from our ancestors but a loan from our descendants. Therefore, safeguarding the environment is not just a government duty but a moral responsibility for all generations. I believe Unas graduates can be solution-generations that propel Indonesia to become a progressive, dignified, green, and sustainable nation,” he concluded.
Head of Regional III Higher Education Service (LLDIKTI) Henri Tambunan stated that degrees are proof of academic achievement and a key to opportunities. However, future success depends on character, integrity, and the ability to keep learning amid changing times.
Meanwhile, Lemhannas Governor Tubagus Ace Hasan Syadzily, in his academic speech titled ‘Youth: Demographic Bonus and National Challenges,’ stated that the younger generation holds a strategic position in shaping Indonesia’s path towards Golden Indonesia 2045.
Therefore, the demographic bonus must be harnessed through improving human resource quality, mastering technology, and strengthening national character.
“We need a generation capable of global thinking while firmly rooted in national interests. This is what I call new nationalism: the ability to compete globally without losing Indonesia’s identity,” he concluded.