UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) is hosting the esteemed 20th AUN and 9th ASEAN +3 Educational Forum and Young Speakers Contest 2024. This event brings together students, academics, and young professionals from ASEAN member states and partner countries, including Japan, South Korea, and China. The participants convene to discuss ideas, strengthen educational collaboration, and address global challenges and contemporary issues.

Bambang S. Hidayat, Head of Surabaya Branch of LPS II, delivered the keynote address at the Opening Ceremony held on Wednesday (October 23, 2024) at Majapahit Hall, ASEEC Tower, Dharmawangsa-B Campus. His speech centered on the theme Emancipatory Education as a Path Towards an Emancipated Future.

Emancipatory Education

During his presentation, Hidayat highlighted the crucial role education plays in freeing individuals from various social, economic, and cultural constraints. “Liberating education is about more than teaching skills; it’s about developing character, fostering critical thinking, and nurturing innovation,” he said.

He elaborated that emancipatory education goes beyond traditional academic knowledge, equipping individuals with essential skills for navigating a rapidly changing world influenced by technology and automation. This approach emphasizes critical thinking, analytical abilities, and technological literacy, which are vital for producing competitive, high-quality human resources.

Additionally, emancipatory education empowers individuals to identify problems, devise solutions, and take meaningful action. “This is key to fostering outstanding human resources capable of leading change and becoming agents of innovation in their communities,” he explained.

Justice and equality

Bambang also stressed the importance of emancipatory education in providing equal opportunities for students to build their careers. He argued that such education is essential for creating a more independent and sustainable future for the next generation. “Education should provide individuals with the freedom to think and act independently, not merely focus on earning a degree,” he emphasized.

In conclusion, Hidayat called for greater international collaboration to develop an educational system that can meet future challenges. “Collaboration and innovation are essential to creating emancipatory education—one that liberates us from the chains of injustice and ignorance,” he concluded.

Author: Sintya Alfafa

Editor: Edwin Fatahuddin