The National Student Executive Board of Indonesia (BEM SI) held its 17th (XVII) National Work Meeting (Rakernas) for a week from July 15-20, 2024. This 17th Rakernas carried the theme “Synergy of Student Movements in Designing Inclusive Escalation and Democracy,” with Diponegoro University trusted as the host. A total of 51 universities and 112 BEM SI members participated in this series of events.
The Opening Ceremony, held on Monday, July 15, 2024, in the Prof. Soedarto, SH Building, was attended by the Rector of UNDIP, Vice Rectors, Deans, Directors and Deputy Directors of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Alumni, the Central Coordinator of BEM SI, and the President of BEM UNDIP.
In his speech, UNDIP Rector Prof. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., encouraged students to develop themselves in the best way possible through various activities, including those in BEM SI. “Joining an organization is a real example of how we can experience nationhood and citizenship in a miniature form,” he said.
He emphasized adopting an altruistic mindset or prioritizing the interests of others or groups over personal interests in organization or nationhood. He also highlighted inclusivity, which is a crucial focus of this Rakernas theme.
“This nation is too large for us to manage alone. Therefore, hopefully, communication bridges will not become problematic, preventing the emergence of ‘Us’ and ‘Them’ (group divisions),” UNDIP Rector said. Finally, he hoped that this BEM SI Rakernas could create strategic plans to promote the development of higher education in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, the Central Coordinator of BEM SI, Herianto, emphasized the importance of Rakernas as a moment to unify the perspectives and views of all students. He hoped each campus would actively engage in discussions or raise issues from their respective regions so concrete solutions for the nation’s progress could be formulated together. Herianto expressed his hope that this Rakernas would produce beneficial formulations for the people and the country of Indonesia.
“Let us rekindle the spirit of the Student Oath within ourselves,” Herianto urged. He also reminded Rakernas participants to develop their critical and intellectual abilities as students continuously.
In his speech at the 17th BEM SI Rakernas, Farid Darmawan, the President of BEM UNDIP, highlighted UNDIP’s uniqueness in embracing and uniting differences.
Farid expressed his gratitude to the UNDIP Rector for fully supporting various positive student agendas. According to him, this support is proof of UNDIP’s commitment to advancing movements that bring goodness and enlightenment to the nation. “This indicates that Diponegoro University is committed to every movement that contains goodness and can enlighten the nation’s life,” he said.
Furthermore, Farid hoped that the Rakernas XVII BEM SI Rakernas could serve as a platform to strengthen and expand academically valuable and sustainable movements rather than sporadic ones.
This 17th Rakernas was held based on the results of the 17th BEM SI National Conference (Munas) in 2024, held at Riau University, Pekanbaru, on May 6, 2024. (Sahila/Ani-Public Relations)
