Public Lecture on Pancasila & Citizenship: Internalization of Pancasila in the Life of the Nation and State Defense

Bintaro, South Tangerang 07/03/2025 - The Teaching Learning Center Unit of Universitas Pembangunan Jaya (UPJ) and the UPJ Bureau of Student Affairs and Alumni organized a Pancasila & Citizenship Public Lecture on March 4, 2025, at the UPJ Hall. The lecture, themed "Internalization of Pancasila in the Life of the Nation and State Defense," was a part of the PRIMA Advanced 2024 series. This event aimed to instill a profound understanding of the values of Pancasila as the cornerstone of national unity. In these challenging times of globalization, it is imperative to continually reinforce the noble values of Pancasila to navigate social changes and global dynamics effectively.

In his address, the Rector of Universitas Pembangunan Jaya (UPJ), Ir. Yudi Samyudia, Ph.D., emphasized the necessity for students, as the nation's future leaders, to develop both soft skills and character. “Character and soft skills are crucial in shaping a generation ready to tackle future challenges. One of PRIMA's main focuses is strengthening students' character and developing their soft skills. I hope this event serves as a platform for character education for young Indonesians, who will be part of the Golden Generation 2045. With strong character and exceptional competence, they will become highly competitive human resources, poised to lead Indonesia to a brighter future,” he remarked.

The public lecture featured Komjen. Drs. Suhardi Alius, M.H., a distinguished figure in national security and resilience. With an extensive track record in various strategic roles, he has significantly contributed to maintaining the nation's stability and security.

Currently, Suhardi Alius serves as Commissioner of PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol, Tbk, expanding his influence in area management and development. Previously, he held the position of Head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) from 2016 to 2020, where he played a pivotal role in formulating strategic policies to combat terrorism in Indonesia.

Before leading BNPT, Suhardi Alius was the Principal Secretary of Lemhannas RI (2015-2016), an institution focused on national security and strategic leadership. His career also includes his tenure as Head of the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (2013-2015), where he spearheaded various law enforcement and crime-fighting initiatives in Indonesia.

With his vast experience in security, law enforcement, and national resilience, Suhardi Alius' presence at the public lecture provided students with profound insights into the challenges and strategies for maintaining national integrity in the era of globalization.

During his presentation, Suhardi Alius underscored the crucial role of the younger generation in safeguarding the nation's ideology. “Today's threats to the nation's ideology are not just physical but also digital. Hoaxes, hate speech, and radicalism can easily proliferate through social media and uncontrolled networks. Therefore, the younger generation must possess critical awareness and uphold the values of Pancasila,” he asserted.

Moreover, he shared his experiences in rehabilitating former terrorists, successfully reintegrating them into society by instilling foundational state values. “Humanist and religious approaches are key to the successful reintegration of ex-terrorists into society. Pancasila must be the core value applied, enabling them to make positive contributions once more,” he explained.

The public lecture saw active participation from lecturers, students, and educational staff. One UPJ student shared her thoughts on the importance of understanding Pancasila in contemporary life. “This public lecture enlightened us on the continued relevance of Pancasila, even in the digital age. We now better understand how to apply its principles in our daily lives,” she said.

The event served as an inspiring platform for participants to deepen their understanding of Pancasila's role in building a strong, competitive, and harmonious nation. Events like these are expected to raise students' awareness of the importance of upholding Pancasila's values as the identity of the Indonesian nation.