UNAIR NEWS – Once again, Universitas Airlangga has been entrusted as the host for the Merdeka Student Exchange (PMM) program. To welcome them, UNAIR organized an Inspiration Class at the Grahadi Building Surabaya on Monday, October 16, 2023.
The PMM students participated in the event enthusiastically. They took the class, ate up East Javanese cuisine, and enjoyed the musical night with Harmony Band.
In his welcoming speech, Rector Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih SE MT Ak stated that UNAIR accepted 390 PMM students. They come from 95 universities across the nation, with the majority of them being female students.
“There are only 88 male students, while the remaining 302 students are female. Given that a majority of Indonesian students are female, it’s about time that Indonesia’s leaders are the nation’s heroines,” he said.
Featuring East Java governor
One of the national heroines and role models is Dr. (H.C.) Khofifah Indar Parawansa MSi. The Governor of East Java was there to welcome PMM students. She shared an inspirational journey to become the influential figure she is today.
Her desire to become a state official began when she was in the fourth grade of elementary school. At that time, she heard that by becoming an official, she would have the opportunity to enter the Kaaba. In her innocence, she believed it.
“When I was in the 4th grade, I had the thought of becoming an official because I wanted to enter the Kaaba. They said that if you wanted to enter the Kaaba, you had to become an official,” she said.
Who would have thought that her childhood dream would bring Khofifah to the peak of her career as the top figure in East Java? Nevertheless, she is aware that it requires hard work to achieve her position. Success is not instant.
“Keep in mind to always be yourself and do the best. Anyone who wants to achieve their dreams must work hard. Never expect an instant success,” the East Java governor said.
One thing she has consistently learned, there is added value to be gained at every chance. Therefore, she advised all the students to keep learning from every moment in life.
“In every meeting, every interaction, there’s always added value. Seek the wisdom lies in it,” she said.
Author: Muhammad Badrul Anwar
Editor: Nuri Hermawan
