At the 81st Anniversary Ceremony of the Republic of Indonesia, the Rector of UIN Jakarta Emphasizes Strengthening Unity and the Campus's Contribution to the Nation
Lapangan Utama, UIN News Online – UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta held a ceremony on Monday (August 17, 2026) to commemorate the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. UIN Jakarta Rector, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., served as the ceremony’s inspector. In his address, the Rector called on the academic community to give meaning to independence by continuing to contribute through education, research, innovation, and community service, in line with the theme, “Indonesia: Sovereign, Just, and Prosperous.”
The ceremony was attended by Vice Rector for General Administration, Prof. Dr. Imam Subchi, M.A.; Vice Rector for Cooperation and Institutional Affairs, Din Wahid, M.A., Ph.D.; the heads of the Bureau of General Administration, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs (AUK) and the Bureau of Planning and Finance (PK); deans and vice deans; as well as members of the UIN Jakarta academic community. The Red-and-White Flag was raised by members of the UIN Jakarta Menwa Paskibra, who were selected from among the university’s 2026 new students.
In his address, the Rector emphasized that independence is not merely a historical legacy to be commemorated, but a responsibility that must be carried forward through efforts suited to the challenges of the times. For higher education institutions, this responsibility is realized through education, research, innovation, and community service that create a meaningful impact on society.
“Rather, we must understand independence as a responsibility that we are obliged to fulfill and carry forward through efforts that respond to the challenges of our time. If our predecessors fought to win and defend independence, today we must continue their struggle by building Indonesia into a nation that is better educated, more dignified, just, and prosperous,” the Rector said.
The Rector noted that the challenges facing the nation are becoming increasingly complex, driven by global geopolitical dynamics, climate change, and technological competition. In this situation, unity and solidarity serve as essential social capital that must be strengthened by all elements of the nation, including the academic community.
“In facing these various challenges, one essential form of social capital that we must strengthen is the spirit of unity and solidarity as Indonesians. Despite our different backgrounds, we are united as one nation—the Indonesian nation,” he stressed.
He added that higher education institutions have a responsibility to serve as strategic partners in addressing the nation’s challenges. According to him, support for national development can be provided through academic expertise, research, innovation, policy recommendations, human resource development, and community service, while maintaining the critical and constructive perspective expected of the academic community.
“Higher education institutions must serve as strategic partners in finding solutions to the nation’s various challenges,” he said.
In the context of UIN Jakarta, the Rector emphasized that an Islamic higher education institution should not merely produce graduates, but also generate knowledge, ideas, and solutions that are relevant to society’s needs. Members of the academic community are also encouraged to develop integrity, professionalism, social awareness, respect for differences, and a strong commitment to national unity and progress.
Addressing the entire academic community, the Rector called on everyone to fulfill their respective roles to the fullest. “As educators, let us give our best efforts to educate the nation’s children as well as possible. To our education and administrative staff, let us strengthen our professionalism and the quality of our services as part of good university governance. To our students, let us prepare ourselves with knowledge, competence, creativity, and character so that we can become human resources capable of contributing to Indonesia’s development,” he said.
The commemoration of Indonesia’s 81st Independence Anniversary also served as an opportunity to reinforce UIN Jakarta’s role as a higher education institution committed to contributing through education, research, innovation, and community service. The Rector concluded his address by calling on the academic community to strengthen collaboration and make independence a foundation for producing work that creates a meaningful impact for the nation and humanity.
“UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta must continue to be part of the nation’s intellectual strength, a strategic partner in development, and a space for nurturing generations of Indonesians who are knowledgeable, have integrity and character, and possess a strong sense of national identity,” he concluded.
The 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia’s Independence serves as a reminder for UIN Jakarta to continue strengthening unity and fulfilling its role as a higher education institution that contributes to the nation. Through education, research, innovation, and community service, UIN Jakarta is committed to nurturing a generation that is knowledgeable, principled, and capable of contributing to the realization of a sovereign, just, and prosperous Indonesia.