Cheers from the Freshmen, 3 Cabinet Ministers Deliver Motivational Speech at PBAK 2025

Rectorate Building, UIN Online News — The atmosphere of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta’s Introduction to Academic Culture and Student Affairs (PBAK) 2025 on Tuesday (August 26, 2025) was marked by a special presence: several cabinet ministers attended the event, offering both motivation and fresh insights to thousands of new students as they embark on their academic journey and prepare for the future.

Minister of Religious Affairs, Prof. Nasaruddin Umar, M.A., warmly welcomed UIN Jakarta’s freshmen, emphasizing that PBAK serves as a platform for connection—a place where students from across Indonesia, with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, come together as one.

“This is where the seeds of your future are planted. Let compassion and tolerance be the foundation of every step you take. Respect differences, nurture brotherhood, and expand your horizons,” he advised.

Meanwhile, Minister of Women and Children Empowerment (PPPA), Dra. Hj. Arifatul Choiri Fauzi, M.Si., underlined the strategic role of students as the foundation of Indonesia’s future. She reminded them that being a university student is not merely a privilege, but also a great responsibility.

“You are the nation’s next generation. As university students, you will become pioneers and pillars of Indonesia’s future,” she stressed.

She then encouraged students to seize every learning opportunity during their studies by fostering a positive social environment and urged students to speak up against any form of violence or bullying on campus.

“Make the best use of your time. Absorb as much knowledge as you can throughout your university years to become future leaders of this nation,” she added.

On another note, Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs (Menkomdigi), Meutya Hafid, B.Eng., M.IP., delivered a presentation titled “Internationalization, Digitalization, and Green Campus: Building Campus–Industry Collaboration for a Sustainable Future.” 

In line with the PBAK 2025 theme, Minister Meutya emphasized the need for young people to be prepared for major transformations in this age of technological change.

“We are living in an era of massive transformation, often referred to as the industrial revolution and digital transformation. There are three major streams known as megatrends: physical transformation, digital transformation, and biological transformation,” she explained.

She underlined that the key to future success lies in adaptability, innovation, and collaboration, including the ability to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“The future belongs to those who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate,” she concluded, encouraging students to cultivate these three qualities from day one at UIN Jakarta, an institution that has long produced many of the nation’s leaders.

As part of this year’s PBAK, UIN Jakarta will host a diverse lineup of national figures and intellectuals, including Jerome Polin, Habib Ja’far, Zezen Zaenal Muttaqin, S.J.D., Dr. H. TB. Ace Hasan Syadzily, M.Si., Mochammad Afifuddin, M.Si., and Prof. Dr. Abdul Mu’ti, M.Ed., each set to deliver inspiring insights to the new students.

(Sabila Weliza/Zaenal M./Fauziah M./Muhamad Arifin Ilham/Photo: Aqilah Qurrotulaini)