In commemoration of National Education Day (HARDIKAS) 2017, the leaders of the Foundation, Rectorate, Lecturers, Administrative Staff, and student representatives of Widyatama University (UTama) held a commemorative ceremony on Tuesday (May 2nd, 2017) at the Widyatama Auditorium (GSG) courtyard at exactly 8:00 a.m. During the ceremony, the Rector of Widyatama University, Dr. H. Islahuzzaman, S.E., M.Si., Ak., CA, acted as the ceremony leader. On this occasion, the UTama Rector read a speech from the Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education, Prof. Mohamad Nasir, entitled “Increasing the Relevance of Higher Education to Support Economic Growth.”
The speech stated that HARDIKNAS, which is celebrated today, is not only to commemorate the struggles and great services of Ki Hadjar Dewantara as the Father of Indonesian Education, but this commemoration is also a momentum and reflection of the various efforts that we have made and are making in implementing various programs to advance education, especially the quality of higher education in Indonesia.
Another point that was emphasized in this speech was relevance. According to him, “Increasing the relevance of higher education to support economic growth can be done in several ways,” said the Minister of Research and Technology in his speech. First, in the field of education, and second, in the field of research.
Finally, the Minister invited all elements of society to contribute significantly to relevance, particularly in terms of cooperation between higher education institutions, research institutions, and the world of work. “Within this framework, I invite various parties to collaborate, participate, and contribute to efforts to make universities innovative, competitive institutions that can contribute significantly to national economic development,” he said. “he said.
The ceremony ended with the singing of the national anthem ”Hymne Guru“ and ”Halo-Halo Bandung” by the Widyatama Student Choir and closed with a prayer recited by Mr. Suharyono.
