PROSPEROUS WORKERS, GLORIOUS NATION: UNIDA CONTRIBUTES THROUGH CHARACTER-BASED EDUCATION FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE OF EMPLOYMENT
1 year ago
Bogor, May 1, 2025 – Every May 1, the Indonesian nation commemorates National Labor Day, an important moment to appreciate the struggle and contribution of workers in the development of the country. This year, the commemoration of Labor Day is not only a reflection for the government and industry players, but also for educational institutions such as University of Djuanda (UNIDA) which plays a role in preparing superior human resources for the increasingly dynamic world of work. Djuanda University hopes that a prosperous workforce can make a greater contribution to the productive and competitive national development of Indonesia.
Workers are not just workers; they are state assets. Behind the industrial boom, public services, and economic growth, stand millions of workers who run the wheels of development with hard work and dedication. Their welfare is the main indicator of the nation's progress, because when workers are prosperous, social stability and economic growth will go hand in hand.
UNIDA: Producing Competent and Morally Noble Graduates
In this context, Universitas Djuanda (UNIDA) plays a strategic role. As a higher education institution that carries the identity of a Tawheed Campus, UNIDA does not only focus on mastering knowledge and skills, but also character and moral formation. UNIDA graduates are expected to be part of the workforce that is not only technically competent, but also has the values of integrity, honesty, and social responsibility.
"Education is not only about making people smart, but also about humanizing humans," said UNIDA’s Rector, Associate Professor Dr. Hj. R. Siti Pupu Fauziyah, S.Pd.I., M.Pd. The Rector further added, "UNIDA is committed to producing graduates who are able to contribute positively to the workplace, as well as become agents of change who uphold ethics, morals, and nationalism. Moreover, in 2025, UNIDA will receive an award to strengthen institutional and HR competencies with the presence of a Professor of Law in the Field of Employment, namely: Prof. Dr. Endeh Suhartini, SH., MH., who is also the Dean of the Postgraduate Program at Djuanda University." The Chancellor also emphasized that "Through a holistic education approach based on 21 Characters of Tauhid, UNIDA ensures that every graduate is not only ready to work, but also ready to contribute to building a just, prosperous, and civilized society."
Laborers: Pillars of the Nation, Not Just Statistics
Indonesian workers are not only a productive group, but also the backbone of the national economy. In a global landscape full of challenges, including technological disruption, climate crisis, and industrial transformation, the quality of the workforce is the main key to the nation's competitiveness. Therefore, investment in human resources through higher education is an urgent need.
UNIDA certainly understands this problem. The study programs offered continue to be aligned with the needs of industry and technological developments, both through adaptive curriculum, work skills training, and entrepreneurship programs. Collaboration with the business world and industry (DUDI) is also strengthened to prepare graduates who are relevant to the challenges of the times. Furthermore, UNIDA also encourages a spirit of productive work and professionalism among students through various soft skills training, internships, and character building of tauhid. All of this is important provision so that UNIDA graduates are ready to face the world of work not only as workers, but also leaders and actors of social transformation.
UNIDA's Contribution to Employment SDGs
Through quality education (SDG 4) which is also one of the focuses of SDGs, Universitas Djuanda certainly makes the education process in UNIDA as an inseparable part of the global education community to take part in supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).
Some of UNIDA's real contributions in this field include:
- Preparing graduates who are ready to work and ready to become entrepreneurs through competency-based curriculum and student entrepreneurship programs.
- Providing inclusive and affordable access to education, including for students from working families or low-income communities.
- Building strategic partnerships with the industrial sector, training institutions, and local governments to absorb the aspirations of the labor market and create synergy between the world of education and employment.
- Conducting research and community service that is oriented towards empowering the community's economy and improving the welfare of informal workers.
- Encourage a work ethic that is just, has integrity, and is oriented towards the common good.
With the spirit of monotheism and a commitment to sustainability, UNIDA places human development as the main priority in its institutional mission. Education is not only seen as a means of social mobility, but also as a foundation for creating a more just and prosperous society.
Unity and Nationalism as Energy for Employment
“Prosperous Workers, Glorious Nation” contains a strong message about the importance of unity and nationalism. Amidst global challenges and ongoing social inequality, Indonesian workers and laborers need support from all elements of the nation, including the world of education.
UNIDA sees that inclusive and sustainable national development must be based on a spirit of togetherness. UNIDA graduates are taught to value cooperation, mutual-cooperation, and a spirit of devotion. These values are important social capital in the modern world of work, where collaboration, empathy, and a sense of shared responsibility are the keys to success.
Labor Day Commemoration as an Educational Momentum
Labor Day is not only a symbolic commemoration, but also a momentum for public education. Universitas Djuanda makes this moment to strengthen the awareness of the academic community that the world of work is not only a place to earn a living, but also a space for devotion and contribution to the nation.
Through public lectures, public discussions, and joint reflections, UNIDA invites students to understand the strategic role of workers in national development and the importance of fighting for a fair, humane, and socially just employment system.
Education as the Key to Worker Welfare
The commemoration of National Labor Day 2025 reaffirms that worker welfare reflects the quality of human development. This is where universities such as Universitas Djuanda play a vital role: producing the next generation who are not only ready to enter the world of work but also bring noble values to color the world of work with the spirit of monotheism, justice, and humanity. When education is united with the values of monotheism, when workers are valued as national assets, and when the spirit of unity is put forward, then it is true that "Prosperous Workers, Glorious Nation" will not just be an ordinary slogan, but an ideal that can and must be realized together.