Dear Steemian Friends
There is a statement that is quite tickling the ear when I hear it. "Argument presented by a Rector of a University in the Capital of Aceh Province." Maybe if it's people who never go to college, I will understand. However, if the person who delivered it was a Professor's class when he was young, not only lecturing in class, but also lecturing through the boundaries of classrooms such as being active in an organization, it makes me amused to hear it.
Talking about the student movement, of course talking about the responsibility inherent in a person who holds the title as a student. Apart from academic responsibility, there is also social responsibility on the shoulders of students. We should be aware and understand that student assignments are not only studying in class and looking for grades to simply pass, but can provide solutions in the midst of society's problems. The position of students is in the middle which will intersect with the interests of the small people and the authorities. As intellectuals, students certainly become hope and focus to continue to fight for the rights of small people who sometimes do not comply with the policies adopted by the authorities.
Students as the mouthpiece of the people are also not pragmatic in conveying ideas and aspirations. As educated intellectuals, of course in finding a solution there must be an in-depth study so that it can formulate a strategic solution that can be offered to the authorities to be applied. Don't think that students cannot formulate a solution to the problem, they can form study groups with various parties according to their scientific discipline. Campus as a higher education institution is full of various intellectual and ideological struggles so it is very suitable to be the basis of study in formulating a solution that will be submitted to
ruler. Do not let students stay away from the problems faced by the people. Allow them for a moment to occasionally hear the screams of the people's hearts. Do not forget to remind, an intellectual should not be selfish who only thinks of themselves, while in the corners of the village there are still many poor people who are waiting for our hopes.
Demonstrations are a strategic step to convey demands, criticisms, aspirations and solutions after various previous efforts, such as dialogue and hearings with the authorities. Not only giving speeches without meaning, but also bringing about the formulation of a long and deep study.
Demonstrations are defined as siding with the oppressed so that their role as critical opposition to the authorities will continue to exist. However, at the moment the demonstration is being ridiculed and is not getting the sympathy of the campus leaders because maybe for those who are already in the circle of power no longer need to think about others. Even though we know that big changes start with small movements. Nothing is wasted from a struggle, no matter how small the struggle will definitely get significant results. Only time will answer.
In the current era of democracy, when freedom of opinion is wider, access to information on developments in the current situation should be easily obtained. Besides that, the university leadership should be more aware of the current condition of the nation. Not pretending to take care of the government. Pramoedya Ananta Toer once said that it is better to educate the people through organization, while educating leaders through resistance.
As a student, I am disappointed with what the honorable Professor has said, because of course we students have our respective roles and interests. We can't justify everything. There are students who are more interested in the world of movement, so they develop their intellectuality by reading, writing and discussing socio-political conditions. There are also those who are interested in the academic world by making scientific works and community service. Every student must have a role in the field that is occupied in their own way. Let's strengthen each other so that our common aspirations will soon find their way.
###Regards, @boyacun123