UNAIR NEWS – Various preparations were made in August to welcome Asia’s biggest sports event , the 2018 Asian Games. One of them was held by universities and local government officials through the coordination of Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education, through a singing event entitled Harmoni Indonesia 2018.
Indonesia Harmony 2018 was held simultaneously throughout Indonesia on Sunday morning, August 5. The event was held as an effort to welcome 2018 Asian Games event which will be held on August 18, 2018 in Jakarta and Palembang. It was also an effort to welcome Indonesia’s 73rd Independence Day. One of them was held at Universitas Airlangga.
10 thousand participants attend
UNAIR became the center of Indonesia Harmony 2018 implementation in East Java. It was held at the Airlangga Convention Center (ACC), Campus C, UNAIR.
In total there were 10,000 attendees. The 7,000 participants were from UNAIR students while another 3,000 came from state and private universities and government agencies in East Java region. Especially for UNAIR students, the activity was opened with morning exercise in front of the UNAIR Rector.
From outside Surabaya, there were students representatives from Malang, Mojokerto, Madiun, Banyuwangi, Jombang, Tuban, and Madura. For example, Universitas Brawijaya (UB), State University of Malang (UM), University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), State University of Surabaya (UNESA), and State Islamic University of Sunan Ampel Surabaya (UINSA). There were also representatives from Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) and the ranks of the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) and POLRI (Indonesian National Police).
UNAIR Rector Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nasih, SE, MT., Ak., CMA., was present with other leaderships, including the Rector of Unesa Prof. Dr. Warsono, MS; Rector of East Java University of Veteran National Development (UPN) Prof. Dr. Ir. Teguh Soedarto, MP; as well as a number of officials from Private Higher Education Coordinator (Kopertis) VII and TNI-POLRI officials.
Indonesia Harmony 2018 consists of singing national songs activity which were guided directly by Addie MS, a renowned orchestra conductor in Indonesia, from Jakarta. The activity was carried out simultaneously throughout Indonesia with President Jokowi and the ranks of ministers and state officials through teleconference.
Five songs were sung in the activity. the national anthem Indonesia Raya , Satu Nusa Satu Bangsa , Garuda Pancasila , Rayuan Pulau Kelapa , Bagimu Negeri , and Hari Merdeka .
Message of our President
In his speech through video streaming, Jokowi said that the event was held to welcome Indonesia’s 73rd Independence Day and at the same time encourage all Indonesian athletes to excel in the 2018 Asian Games.
Jokowi hoped that 2018 Asian Games can be held successfully with the support from the entire community. And finally, Jokowi hoped that through this activity, Indonesia’s spirit of unity, brotherhood and patriotism can be strengthened.
“Because, once again this is our nation’s assets that we must look after together,” he said.
Meanwhile, about the implementation of Indonesia Harmony centered on UNAIR, Prof. Nasih stated that the activity was expected to be one of the mediums to incite patriotism and unity of all elements of the nation. Both in the form of energy, thought and interest to advance the nation together. Therefore, there should not be one scattered nation’s power.
“Then the second, we are facing the Asian Games. We as elements of the nation must work hand in hand, help each other, and encourage each other for the success of the implementation and achievements of the Indonesian people at Asian Games, “he told UNAIR NEWS after the event.
In addition, Prof. Nasih reminded the importance of maturity and awareness of all elements of the nation related to the democratic party (election) that will be held. He said that there is a potential discord because of it.
“And, of course through this program by singing together, we will be able to unite all and at the same time remember that we are having a party of democracy. The party will not be beautiful if it is featured with discord,” he said.
“The party must be held together and must strengthen our unity. We cannot discriminate others anymore because we are countrymen of the same nation, “he added. (*)
Author: Feri Fenoria Rifa’i
