SGU Contribution to Create Indonesian Future Global Leaders

On 18 June 2016 Master of Mechanical Engineering, Master of Information Technology, and Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Mechatronics) of the Faculty of Engineering and IT (FEIT), Swiss German University (SGU), in collaboration with Command of Menwa Force “Jayakarta” (Skomenwa Jayakarta), Indonesia Alumni of Menwa Force (IARMI), Alumni of National Resilience Institute of Republic of Indonesia (IKAL-Lemhannas RI) batch 46, Alumni of Swiss German University (IKA-SGU), Dharma Persada University (UNSADA), and BETAKO Merpati Putih, held a public seminar titled “Creating and Nurturing Global Leaders with Statesmanship Spirit”.

The seminar was attended by members of IKAL-46 Lemhannas RI, IKA-SGU, Commandants of student regiment, Lecturers from Universities in Jakarta-Tangsel, Lecturers of FEIT, and other invitees, as well as students from student regiment Jayakarta, student regiment “Bushido” of Darma Persada University, student regiment STKIP Surya, students of Master of Mechanical Engineering-SGU, students of Master of Information Technology-SGU, students of cooperation between SGU-Polytechnic Gajah Tunggal, and students of cooperation between SGU-ATMI Cikarang.

The keynote speakers of this seminar were mostly leaders who have demonstrated their long leadership track record in government, military, academia, and martial arts. Most of them graduated from the National Resilience Institute of the Republic of Indonesia (Lemhannas-RI), the highest and the most prestigious leadership education institution in Indonesia. Main ideas related to the seminar topic were addressed by Dr. H. Dadang Solihin, SE, MA (Rector of Darma Persada University), Dr. Silverius Y. Soeharso, MM, Psi (former Dean of Psychology and Chairman Center of Pancasila Study, Pancasila University), and Dr. Rachman Sjarief, Dipl.-Ing., MM, MH (Warrior/Pendekar of Merpati Putih, Head of International Business, SGU).

Opening by SGU Vice Rector Non-Academic, Edward Boris Manurung, M.Eng.

The seminar was opened by singing Indonesia’s national anthem, continued with a speech by the Vice Rector of non-academic affairs of Swiss German University, Edward Boris Manurung, M.Eng., as well as a speech by chairman of the seminar who is also the Dean of Faculty of Engineering and IT, Dr. Ir. Gembong Baskoro, M.Sc. Both of them addressed the similar views related to the topic of the seminar. They stressed that the mission of the university is not only to provide specific knowledge related to student interest, but also to create and nurture future global leaders as globalization is unavoidable for them. Whatever their profession in the future such as practitioner, technician, technocrat, scientist, entrepreneur, or politician, they all must behave as intellectuals who are able to share ideas between one field of knowledge to another. Additionally, they must be open mind and eager to exchange ideas by discussing, confronting, and comparing other people’s ideas. They must also have strong morale and commitment. 

Seminar Sessionn addressed by one of the Keynote Speakers, Dr. Dadang Solihin. (Left to right: Dr. Dr. Rachman Sjarief, Dipl.-Ing., MM., MH., Dr. Silverius Y. Soeharso, MM., P.Si.,and Dr. Ir. Gembong Baskoro, MSc.)

Therefore, leaders are expected able to solve problems/issues/cases and not just answer questions, because problems/issues/cases in every generation will be different. More importantly, Indonesia future leaders must have the spirit of statesmanship and prioritize the nation’s interests, especially what has been stated in Indonesia’s constitution. Future Indonesia global leaders must also have strong commitment to protect the Ideology (Pancasila), the Constitution of Republic of Indonesia year 1945 (UUD 45), the Unitary States of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), and the principle of Unity in Diversity (Bhineka Tunggal Ika) as the nation four basic consensus. Statesmanship is founded on the basic principles of nationalism and patriotism that every Indonesian citizen should have and be preserved at any cost.

All keynote speakers addressed and shared their main ideas related to the topic. Dr. Dadang Solihin shared his experiences related to global leadership in terms of national resilience. He spoke about the student regiment (Menwa) as a student organization that is able to develop basic leadership for students in a structured way. He suggested Swiss German University establish its student regiment (Menwa) as early as possible.

The second keynote speaker, Dr. Silverius Y. Soeharso, MM, P.Si., discussed global leadership in the view of Indonesian Ideology and basic consensus. He reiterated the need for statesmanship as continuous change of the external environment needs to be carefully managed. Indonesia must stand on its ideology and national basic consensus, and this is the primary responsibility of each leader.

The third keynote speaker, Dr. Dr. Rachman Sjarief, Dipl.-Ing., MM., MH, addressed the theme of the seminar from the angle of leadership in Betako Merpati Putih, which is a genuine Indonesian tradition of martial arts. He presented the long tradition of leadership of Merpati Putih that is very relevant with the theme of the seminar. At the end of the presentation, Dr. Rachman demonstrated the strength with and inside the softness of Merpati Putih. Several stones and casting irons were broken using the hand, the leg, the belly and even with a finger nail. He demonstrated how discipline, integrity, courage, strength, character, attitude, empathy, and credibility can become powerful with years of persistent exercise.

Dr. Dr. Rachman Sjarief, Dipl.-Ing., MM., MH., demonstrated a genuine Indonesian traditional martial art, Betako Merpati Putih

Continuing the session, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and IT rewarded several outstanding people with an award and a Faculty of Engineering and IT honor medal. The awards were presented to those who already demonstrated extraordinary leadership and initiatives to the betterment of the country, SGU and especially to the Faculty of Engineering and IT. The Faculty of Engineering and IT (FEIT) honor medal was presented to Dr. Ita Mariza, MBA (Director of Polytechnic Gajah Tunggal) and Petrus K Teguh, who have made an outstanding initiative on their leadership capacity in building close cooperation with FEIT by means of awarding 30 students to continue pursuing a higher degree at FEIT. The second recipient was Dr. H. Dadang Solihin, SE, MA who has demonstrated his leadership by helping FEIT in particular and SGU in general to open his network for possible establishment of Menwa in SGU. The third recipient was Dr. Silverius Y. Soeharso, MM, P.Si. who has encouraged movement in every university to stand on Indonesia Ideology of Pancasila and four national basic consensus in a structured way. The last recipient was Dr. Dr. Rachman Sjarief, Dipl.-Ing., MM, MH who always helps FEIT, beyond his call of duty, with heart and mind in any activities related to the betterment of FEIT, SGU and for the country. Therefore, those outstanding persons deserve to receive a FEIT honor medal and award.

Faculty of Engineering and IT took a photo with the award recipients

Before the photo session was taken, a document of joint pledge about strengthening the national identity, esprit de corps between institutions, was signed on behalf of Student Regiment (Skomenwa) Jayakarta, Darma Persada University (UNSADA), Faculty of Engineering and IT-SGU, Alumni Association of National Resilience Institute batch 46 (IKAL-46 Lemhannas RI), Alumni of Swiss German University (IKA-SGU), Genuine Indonesia Tradition of Martial Arts (Betako) of Merpati Putih.

The signing ceremony of the Joint Pledge

After the photo session, a Q&A session was held and moderated by dean FEIT. In this session, Rear Admiral TNI Dr. Surya Wiranto, SH, MH (Former chairman of IKAL-46), Ir. Win Sukardi, ME., MM, MBA, MH (Chairman of IKA-SGU) and Dr. Dr. Rachman Sjarief, Dipl.-Ing., MM, MH eagerly answered all questions addressed by seminar participants. The questions ranged from issues of resilience, education, to the culture of martial arts. The half day public seminar was closed by singing “Padamu Negeri”.

Q&A Session

Photo Session

The informal session of Iftar (breaking the fast) was held for all participants during this conference. Everybody had the opportunity to network and strengthen relationship during the time of breaking fast. FEIT welcomes more participants at the next seminar.