UNAIR NEWS – Former Minister of Manpower and Transmigration RI 2009-2014 Muhaimin Iskandar wants to establish a center of multicultural studies at Universitas Airlangga. It followed his appointment to get an honorary degree from UNAIR on Tuesday, October 3.
The national figure who is familiarly known as Cak Imin expressed it in a press conference held in the Rector’s office, UNAIR Management Office, Monday, October 2.
“I have a wish that UNAIR as the center of science and technology is not an ivory tower, but plays a direct role in social life. One thing we haven’t had in our country is the center of multicultural studies or diversity study center, “said Cak Imin.
The man who was born in Jombang 51 years ago said that the center of multicultural studies will be the only one in Indonesia. It is expected to cover the various threats of diversity that has been a problem of its own in Indonesia.
“Factional energies and social organs can be involved for potential solutions especially in this field of study. I am ready to mobilize the potentials of various circles that are part of the study center of diversity, “he explained.
Cak Imin’s statement was welcomed by UNAIR Rector Prof Moh Nasih. In front of the press, the multiculturalism center is being prepared to be opened at UNAIR.
“We are making preparations for it. It is not an easy thing to do. We are still considering the appropriate and suitable location. When it is ready Insha AllahCak Imin will come again, “said Rector UNAIR.
In the end, Nasih said that with the opening of multicultural studies center in university, in this case UNAIR, it can promote ukhuwah basyariyah  (humanitarian brotherhood) which has been widely taught among the Islamic boarding school.
“Cak Imin and NU have many ideas. If they emerge from the Islamic boarding school, they are considered less scientific. If the emergence from the campus, of course it feels different. We want to encourage and continue to develop things like that, ” explained Prof. Nasih. (*)
Author: Binti Q. Masruroh
Editor: Nuri Hermawan
