UPH Rectorate Reflection – Dr. (Hon) Jonathan L. Parapak, M.Eng.Sc., for National Education Day 2016

Happy National Education day! Upon celebrating the National Education day, we all felt very grateful for the abundant blessings that God has given for Indonesia, in guiding our nation since the day of Indonesia?s Independence Declaration, to run a great education system.

We all know that education is one of the main pillars for the growth of man, nation and society in Indonesia. We have achieved many things, but now, as we celebrate the National Education day, we must reflect, review, where and which way is our education heading towards to. We often heard that we have to prepare our children to compete in internationally. The thought itself was not a wrong thing, but it was also fine to ask, ?What is the actual purpose of competition for man?? We often talked about mastering knowledge and technology and of course, all of those topics are good, but it was also acceptable to ask, ?What is the actual purpose of technology and knowledge??  If we were talking about the new order era, we were talking about man?s full life development then wouldn?t ?A wholly faithful man, who praises the Lord as its creator, the source of all talents and potentials? be the purpose? So that, basically knowledge had to be taught with a purpose to holistically develop all the potentials and personal aspects which each people possessed, for each people to grow according to God?s initial intention?

We were very concerned with various education models which day by day, had become more secular, with no more intention upon emphasizing spiritual and noble character aspects.

Departing from such a condition, UPH felt called to educate Indonesia?s young generation with a holistic education which emphasizes spiritual aspects and moral character as well as paying equal attention towards the knowledge and technology mastering aspects and multiple skills and intelligence. All with the purpose to produce graduates who can completely take part in the development of the society, in aspects such as economics, ideology, politics, security, and environment, towards a life with justice and prosperity, and a better physical and spiritual welfare for Indonesia.

With this decipherment, I encouraged all of us to educate our children with a holistic education, which focuses in producing people with the ability and competence to give great contribution for the complete development of the nation.

May the Lord bless our nation in its attempt to advance education for the welfare, justice and prosperity of Indonesia.