UIN Jakarta Rector Urges Graduates to Become People of Value, Not Just Success
Harun Nasution Auditorium, UIN Online News—The Rector of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., urged graduates to move beyond a narrow focus on success and instead transform into individuals who create value and deliver positive impact for society. The message was delivered during the 139th Open Senate Session for the Undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral Graduation Ceremony at the Harun Nasution Auditorium on Saturday (February 7, 2026).
The graduation ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic year carried the theme “Digital Society: A Religious, Smart, and Impactful Generation.” In his address, Prof. Asep Jahar expressed appreciation for the graduates’ resilience in completing their studies. He noted that academic achievement is never easy and is often shaped by material, psychological, and social challenges.
“Graduation is not easy. There are many twists and turns. Some had to wait for scholarship funds, some were forced to borrow money, and others worked as small traders just to keep going. Everyone carries their own burdens,” he said before graduates and their families.
He further emphasized that a high Grade Point Average (GPA), while commendable, is not the sole gateway to success. Graduates, he warned, should not become complacent with academic numbers without strong adaptive skills.
“A 3.9 GPA is very good—excellent. But it is not the only guarantee of success. Those who succeed are people who can adapt and transform themselves amid constant change in society,” he stressed.
Prof. Asep Jahar then quoted Albert Einstein to help frame the life orientation of the new graduates. He encouraged UIN Jakarta alumni not merely to pursue positions or personal achievements, but to focus on meaningful contributions.
“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value. Be people of value. Life is measured by how valuable you are to others, not by whether you are a bachelor, a master, or a doctor,” he added.
Beyond academic messages, the Rector also highlighted UIN Jakarta’s commitment to sustainability through its Green Campus initiative and digital transformation via the E-Semesta system. He explained that campus waste is now independently managed through a recycling center located at the Teacher Professional Education (PPG) Campus in Sawangan, Depok, West Java.
Toward the end of the ceremony, the Rector invited all attendees to take part in social action through the UIN Jakarta Social Trust Fund (STF), aimed at supporting students facing financial hardship.
The call was warmly received. In a short time, the spontaneous philanthropic initiative raised more than IDR 10 million in donations, reflecting the strong sense of social solidarity within UIN Jakarta’s academic community.
In closing, Prof. Asep Jahar reminded graduates of the vital role played by parents and lecturers in their academic journey, urging them never to forget those who guided them to this milestone.
“Be kind to your parents, because the key to success lies with them. As long as you do good by them, God willing, the doors of goodness and ease will always open,” he concluded.
(Mu’ainun Mubin / Fauziah M. / Zaenal M. / Syandana Mazna Aisyah)