Prof. Dr. Sutrisna Wibawa, M.Pd.: Education is the Path to Golden Indonesia
GANTAR, INDRAMAYU-JAYA NEWS.COM – The Training of Students Towards Revolutionary Transformation of Boarding Education, initiated by Al-Zaytun, was held on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the Al-Zaytun Complex, Gantar Indramayu, West Java.
Filled with an inspiring presentation from Prof. Dr. Sutrisna Wibawa, M.Pd., professor and former Chancellor of Yogyakarta State University (UNY), entitled Education is the Path
Towards Golden Indonesia.
With great enthusiasm, Prof. Sutrisna opened with a shout of “Freedom!” and was greeted with chants: “Al-Zaytun! Keep moving forward! Keep learning! Unite!”
He explained that the world is currently entering the era of Society 5.0, which is marked by a major shift in the way humans work, learn, and live. Artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and digital disruption are no longer the future, but a reality that must be faced. Therefore, the Indonesian education system must undergo a total transformation.
Prof. Sutrisna mapped out four educational revolutions—from an oral, written, printed society, to the digital era—and emphasized the importance of adapting education to the nature of the times and the nature of nature, as taught by Ki Hadjar Dewantara.
He said that Indonesia needs a 15-year compulsory education system, boarding school education that forms Jalmo Kang Utomo—the main human being who is intelligent, adaptive, and moral. He also explained the importance of changing people’s way of thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, and building a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship from an early age.
Ending his presentation, Prof. Sutrisna invited all participants and the Indonesian people to commit to building the country.
“From Al-Zaytun we realize Indonesia Emas, Baldatun Thayyibatun wa Rabbun Ghafur,” he exclaimed, greeted by long applause.
The Shaykh’s Closing: From Javanese Song to the Granary of Civilization
The training was closed again by Shaykh AS Panji Gumilang, who delivered the closing accentuation through a childhood song in Javanese: “Duh prokonco, kangudi kawruh utomo, mojo lali mring pambudi ning bongso, jalmo utomo.”
This poem, he said, is a marker of the direction of education—namely producing the main human being for the benefit of the nation.
He said that local cultural values contain the core of civilization that must be brought back to the surface. He emphasized the concept of L-STEAM (Law, Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) as the foundation of the future curriculum: a combination of law, science, technology, art, and cultural values.
The Shaykh also reminded of the importance of manual documentation—with pen and paper—as a way to maintain thinking power and respect knowledge.
He said that the education system cannot only rely on the budget, but must be built from food independence, social order, and the courage to build from below.
With a clear and deep voice, he invited all people to never stop learning, and to make education a part of life itself.
“Learning is not for personal interests, but for pambudi ning bongso—devotion to the nation,” he said, closing the training with full authority.
From Symposium to Movement, From Al-Zaytun Towards Indonesia’s Future
What happened at Al-Zaytun was no ordinary training. It was the seed of change planted in the spirit of mutual cooperation, grown by values, and directed towards civilization. Education is no longer placed on the bench of bureaucracy, but on the field of burning national spirit and values.
The idea of Revolutionary Transformation of 21st Century Education is an important thought from this endeavor that has been documented into a book. It contains honest narratives, big ideas, and real practices from an alternative education system that can be imitated, criticized, and developed together. If you want to know how education can shape character, build a nation, and save civilization—then read this book.
And from Al-Zaytun, the road has been opened.***
(Ali Aminulloh)
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