Governor of Lemhannas RI Stresses the Importance of National Character to New UNS Students

"The PKKMB at Universitas Sebelas Maret is not merely an introduction to campus life, but a gateway into the academic community to build a younger generation that is intelligent, critical, and possesses strong national character in welcoming Indonesia Emas 2045," the Governor of Lemhannas RI, Dr. H. TB. Ace Hasan Syadzily, M.Si., said during the "Lemhannas Goes to Campus" event as part of the Introduction to Campus Life for New Students (PKKMB) at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Solo, held at the G.P.H. Haryo Mataram UNS Auditorium on Tuesday (August 11). The Lemhannas RI Governor expressed hope that UNS will serve as an educational institution and a center for forming national character.

The Lemhannas RI Governor emphasized that national character is essential to strengthen nationalism, particularly in an era of rapid global change. The UNS students present at the event will one day become leaders in various areas—whether in organizations, communities, or central and regional government institutions. Therefore, a leader must be able to read global shifts, commonly referred to as geopolitics.

He defined geopolitics as how a nation understands its strategic environment, manages its available resources, builds national strength, and determines the most useful steps to achieve national interests. In today's digital era, geopolitics is also present in classrooms, laboratories, research centers, startups, and even on daily mobile devices.

Furthermore, the Lemhannas RI Governor noted that a nation's key strength lies in its ability to preserve and fortify nationalism continuously. Highlighting the borderless nature of today's world, he stressed that being part of a global society does not mean a nation should lose its national identity. "Therefore, it is vital to love the nation. No nation advances without a dedication to its homeland. A nation that loses its identity will easily lose its compass," he asserted.

In this context, the younger generation occupies a strategic position, much like the nation's predecessors who courageously took risks and voiced Indonesian independence—such as the Boedi Oetomo movement, the Youth Pledge, the Proclamation of Independence, and the 1998 Reformasi. In line with this legacy, students play a crucial role in driving the nation's progress and change.

To address the various challenges facing students as part of Indonesia's youth, students need to be highly aware of how to optimize the country's natural resources. If Indonesia manages its abundant natural resources effectively and supports them with superior human resources, the Governor believes Indonesia will become a great, advanced nation.

Consequently, higher education institutions must build a learning ecosystem to shape a superior generation. Universities hold a central position and must collaborate with the government, society, media, and the business and industrial sectors to produce a generation that is intellectually superior, resilient, and possesses a strong geopolitical perspective. UNS is expected not only to nurture students who master theory, but also to form future leaders who think systemically, maintain a forward-looking vision, adapt to change, and possess moral courage.

Concluding his general lecture, the Lemhannas RI Governor advised all UNS students to use their college years to build character, broaden horizons, hone leadership skills, and strengthen their commitment to the nation. He urged them to become lifelong learners, critical thinkers, individuals of integrity, guardians of unity, and proud patriots.

"Make UNS a home for forming the nation's character based on the four basic national consensuses to yield national leaders who will realize Indonesia Emas 2045," the Lemhannas RI Governor concluded. (SC/CHP/DA)