Mataram, the University of Mataram – The celebration of the 78th Anniversary of the Independence day of the Republic of Indonesia was felt with great enthusiasm at the University of Mataram, the entire Unram academic community gathered in the Rectorate yard on Thursday, 17 August 2023 to hold a flag ceremony.

The Independence Ceremony was accompanied by a special welcome for 212 students of the 2023 Independent Student Exchange program (PMM 3) who came from various tertiary institutions throughout Indonesia and as the pinnacle of respect, Satyalancana Karya Satya is pinned on civil who have served themselves for 30 years, 20 years and 10 years at Unram.

The Rector of the University of Mataram, Prof.  Ir.  Bambang Hari Kusumo, M.Agr.St., Ph.D.  read a special remark from the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, Nadiem Anwar Makarim.  In his remarks, it was explained that Indonesian independence was the result of an earnest struggle without bargaining, a dedication to the struggle that is still being continued to this day through Merdeka Learning which has been driven for the last four years.

“With the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum, students and educators have felt the flexibility in learning and teaching.  This independence has been felt in more than 250 thousand educational units throughout Indonesia,” said the Rector reading the remarks from the Minister of Education and Culture.

He also emphasized the success of the Freedom to Learn-Independent Campus (MBKM) program at the higher education level which has succeeded in changing the lives of more than 760 thousand students.  This program provides valuable opportunities for students to study outside campus, gain experience in industry, school and society, so that they can make a positive contribution to the country.

In conclusion, Prof.  Bambang revealed that the struggle in moving to Learn- Independent in the last four years shows the importance of mutual cooperation to realize independence in the Indonesian education system.

“To keep going, we have to keep going.  Let’s continue the spirit of our predecessors to always move simultaneously to realize Freedom of Learning,” concluded the Rector of Unram.