President Jokowi Attends UIN Professor Inauguration

President Jokowi attends inauguration of Asep Saifuddin Chalim as a Professor of Sociology at Sunan Ampel State Islamic University, Surabaya, East Java, Saturday (29/2). (Photo by: Jay/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo congratulated KH. Asep Saifuddin Chalim upon his inauguration as Professor of Sociology at Sunan Ampel State Islamic University, Surabaya, East Java, Saturday (29/2).

The President added that the academic rank is a token of highest appreciation to Asep’s contribution in developing the study of Islam and innovative educational methods for the great benefits of the nation.

“I personally follow his efforts in developing and shaping good character (akhlakul karimah),” he said adding that Kiai Asep in his book titled ‘Aswaja’ stressed on the importance of religious education to fortify our family from evil ideology amidst the rapid development of technology and information.

Today’s development of the world does not only affect people’s religious behavior, but also affects their belief in an ideology of state governance and social life. Currently, the President added, there are many cases of extremist movements that even trigger wars and conflicts in several countries.

“In this situation, moderate education promoted by Nahdlatul Ulama and Kiai Asep is relevant to be applied, namely the education which upholds the value of moderation (Tawazun), fair (I’tidal), and tolerance (Tasamuh),” President Jokowi added.

These values will be strong points in maintaining Pancasila (the Five Principles, the Indonesian State Ideology), the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, unity of the nation, and shaping a civil society.

President Jokowi went on to say that Kiai Asep also pays special attention to education and entrepreneurship  by establishing an institute, providing scholarships, and adopting innovation and programs on entrepreneurship for the teachers and students.

Also on that occasion, the President said that Indonesia’s human resources must be able to address challenges in this rapidly changed world so they can be an engine for Indonesia to transform into an advanced country. Therefore, new skills, competencies, and innovation must be possessed by all people.

For that reason, President Jokowi called on all educational institutions, universities including the state Islamic universities, Islamic boarding schools, and Islamic schools to review their curriculums since new methods in education is necessary to create a professional, skilled graduates, who have good character.

Translated by : Rany Anjany
Reviewed by : Yuyu Mulyani