Indonesia Miniature can be seen at Universitas Indonesia (UI) which has students from Sabang to Merauke. Therefore, building understanding and tolerance and respecting differences is an absolute thing. To encourage a fair and non-discriminatory attitude among the academic community, the Faculty of Humanities (FIB) UI is trying to become an academic forum that teaches tolerance in order to create social harmonization.
The issue of tolerance was raised as the theme for FIB UI’s 83rd Anniversary celebration in 2022, which is “Kembali ke Budaya: Melayari Keberagaman, Merayakan Kebinekaan” (Back to Culture: Navigating Diversity, Celebrating Multiculturalism). The peak of the anniversary event was held on Monday (5/12) in the Auditorium of Building IX FIB UI, Depok Campus, West Java. The theme was inspired from the founding fathers of the Indonesian nation who pioneered the upholding of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) with the principle of making differences a unity that cannot be separated from one another.
From “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika“, we can interpret the wisdom of various tribes, ethnicities, and religions that unite as an identity. The conception of diversity is limited to the scope of natural diversity, as a willingness to accept other groups regardless of cultural differences.
In his opening speech, Rector of UI Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D. said that the theme of the FIB Anniversary was expected to increase public awareness of the function and role of culture for Indonesia in relation to the existence and integrity of the nation. Responding to his statement, Dean of FIB UI Dr. Bondan Kanumoyoso, S.S., M.Hum. conveyed, “Diversity should be interpreted as a strength to maintain the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and be celebrated to be able to live side by side in a harmony and peace together.”
On this occasion, Prof. Ari added that FIB UI played a role in increasing inbound student mobility which contributed to overall university standing as an effort to improve UI’s international outlook. A total of 109 FIB UI students took part in student exchange programs with partner universities, Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) program, Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM), short course programs, seminars, and training abroad, in online and offline mode. Meanwhile, 56 foreign students carried out inbound activities at FIB UI.
Apart from students, this year there were 29 lecturers from various foreign universities conducting inbound activities at FIB UI. As many as 50 FIB UI lecturers carry out outbound activities, both as speakers, researchers, and overseas seminar participants.
The anniversary event was attended by the Director General of Culture, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, Hilmar Farid, Ph.D., who delivered scientific orations about culture. According to Hilmar, Indonesian society is very diverse and has a diverse history and cultural expressions. It means that society has its own path to develop. Diversity needs to be protected because protecting diversity is a prerequisite for successful development.
“This is what we mean by culture as a method. We do not just take culture opportunistically but place it at upstream of all efforts, and it is from there that various interests are adapted to the existing cultural diversity. In the cultural approach as a method, cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, is seen as a resource that will actually help development efforts as a plural project,” said Hilmar.
Meanwhile, Professor of FIB UI Prof. Dr. R. Cecep Eka Permana, S.S., M.Sc., in his scientific oration regarding culture internally stated, “Let’s ‘Return to Culture’ so that we can ‘Navigate Diversity’ in science by inviting other disciplines to collaborate in solving cultural problems. Hopefully, the results of the collaboration will be able to ‘Celebrate Diversity’ in Indonesian culture which is developed at FIB UI.”
The event chaired by Dr. Hendra Kaprisma, S.Hum., was also attended by Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation drg. Nurtami, Ph.D., Sp,OF(K), Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs UI (2014-2019), Prof. Dr. Bambang Wibawarta, S.S., M.A., and Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) UI Prof. Dr. Semiarto Aji Purwanto. Various series of events were also presented to enliven the 83rd FIB UI Anniversary, including traditional dance performances by Bakul Budaya and entertainment performances by Rafi Galsa ft Mula Band.
Apart from that, FIB UI also gave the Cultural Contribution Award to Dr. Sri Teddy Rusdy, S.H., M.Hum. (Gamelan), Erlien Susanto (Soviet Era Russian Posters), and Kinokuniya Bookstore (Japan and China Books). Other awards given to FIB UI academics include the Retirement Award, the Most Productive Research, the Most Productive Community Service, the Highest EDOM Score Award, and the Outstanding Student.
In the midst of the excitement of this event, there are guests who give a speech online: Ambassador of Mexico H.E. Armando G. Alvarez; Representatives from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Ms. Mizutani Yoko (Project Formulation Adviser) and Ms. Nazalia Kurnia Dewi (Program Officer); The Ambassador of Ukraine H.E. Dr. Vasyl Hamianin; Second Secretary of Ukraine Svitlana Kovtun; Representative of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ms. Sophie van Huut; Representatives of the Embassy of France, Ms. Victoire Hazoumé (Person in Charge of University Cooperation) and Mr. Gema Akbar Pratama (Deputy Attache of University Cooperation).
