Realizing a Smart and Competitive Generation: UNTAG Cirebon Holds Coaching for KIP Kuliah Scholarship Recipients with the Head of LLDIKTI Region IV

CIREBON – Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 (UNTAG) Cirebon reaffirms its real commitment and contribution in producing the nation’s young generation who are not only intellectually smart but also highly competitive amidst the fierce globalization era. This strategic commitment is realized through the organization of the “Coaching for Students Regarding KIP (Smart Indonesia Card)” activity. This coaching event carries the grand theme “Realizing a Smart, Achieving, and Competitive Generation Through KIP Kuliah”.

Taking place at the Ki Hadjar Dewantara Hall, which is rich in educational historical value, this activity proceeded solemnly and orderly. In accordance with the instructions from the rectorate, this coaching event made it mandatory for all active UNTAG Cirebon students who are recipients of the KIP Kuliah scholarship facility to attend. The presence of the students in this room is by no means just an administrative routine, but rather an essential step to align visions, strengthen motivation, and provide a roadmap so that they can maximize their potential while pursuing higher education at this beloved campus.

Presenting a Higher Education Expert: Dr. Lukman, S.T., M.Hum.

This coaching activity became very special and substantial because UNTAG Cirebon presented a highly competent main speaker with high authority in the field of national higher education governance. He is Dr. Lukman, S.T., M.Hum., who currently holds the mandate as the Head of the Higher Education Service Institution (LLDIKTI) Region IV, which oversees the West Java and Banten areas.

Dr. Lukman’s track record and experience in navigating various policies in the higher education world are very long and impressive. In his portfolio, he was once trusted to serve as the Director of Resources, the Directorate General of Higher Education at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, as well as the Director of Institutional Affairs at the same directorate general. Not only that, his leadership capacity was also tested when he served as the Acting (Plt.) Head of LLDIKTI Region III Jakarta and Acting Head of LLDIKTI Region VI Central Java.

With a very strong academic foundation, holding a Doctorate in Computer Science from the University of Indonesia and a Master’s in Information and Library Science from the same university, his presentation was not only normative but also supported by sharp analytical data. His presence was expected to provide strategic insights, deep motivation, and transform the mindset of KIP Kuliah recipient students so that they are truly prepared to become the “Excellent Generation”.

Unraveling the Meaning of College “Privilege” and Demographic Challenges

In his interactive presentation session, Dr. Lukman immediately opened the students’ insights regarding how valuable the opportunity they currently hold is. He presented quite surprising empirical facts based on processed data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). The data showed the fact that in Indonesia, only about 10.2 percent of the population has the privilege of graduating from Higher Education.

Furthermore, the presentation detailed that although the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for Higher Education continues to be pushed to reach around 32% in 2024, the actual graduation rate is still very minimal, reaching only 12.83%. These statistics struck the audience’s awareness that college is inherently a highly exclusive space. “In the midst of this fast-paced world, we sometimes forget that being able to sit in college is a privilege not everyone possesses,” Dr. Lukman emphasized, quoting a reflective statement. This demands gratitude that must not merely stop at words, but must be manifested in the form of a hard work ethos, carving out academic achievements, and ultimately, real social contributions to the wider community.

In addition, Indonesia is currently on the verge of a massive demographic bonus. Entering 2025, Indonesia’s total population is projected to surge to more than 284.4 million people. Of this total population, as many as 196.1 million people will fall into the productive age range (15 to 64 years). This large proportion of working-age population represents both a golden opportunity and a threat. It could transform into a giant engine driving economic growth, but it could also become a fiscal and social burden on the state if the quality of its human resources—including the students present—is not thoroughly prepared. Therefore, every individual KIP Kuliah recipient at UNTAG Cirebon is expected to eventually be able to take an active role in driving economic growth and sustainable socio-ecological development (SDGs).

Systemic Transformation and Fundamental Change in Mindset

Dr. Lukman sharply highlighted that the higher education ecosystem in Indonesia today is not doing just fine; rather, it is being forced to undergo massive transformation due to four systemic drivers of change. These four fundamental disruptions include: a shift in the wheels of the national economy, drastic changes in the socio-cultural landscape and community demographics, a shift in labor market trends, and the absolute demand to realize the Indonesia 2045 Vision.

In order to respond to these four waves of change, educational institutions and their students are obligated to adapt quickly. Modern university graduates can no longer simply rely on a high GPA and mastery of outdated theories. They are required to have capable skills in applying various practical solutions based on the mastery of the latest science and technology.

To achieve these qualification standards, a crucial point emphasized in this coaching material is the urgency of dismantling mindsets. Dr. Lukman straightforwardly outlined the contrasting differences between life in High School (SMA) and the dynamics in Higher Education. While wearing the white-and-gray uniform, students are presented with a neat and rigid curriculum, adhere to a strict study schedule from morning to afternoon, and work on assignments where instructions are given in great detail. Often, the learning process at this level is trapped merely in rote memorization methods. In school, a student is a passive individual who is simply “told what to study” by their teacher.

However, the transition to the campus world obligates a mental revolution. In Higher Education, independence is paramount. A person’s status is no longer just a “student” being spoon-fed knowledge, but must evolve into a lifelong “learner”. In an academic environment, class schedules are designed to be much more flexible, which automatically shifts the responsibility of seeking knowledge onto the students’ own shoulders. Additionally, the curriculum and tested materials dive more specifically, sharply, and deeply according to the chosen study program major.

Lecturers in the classroom will not take on roles like school teachers, but rather function as facilitators to ignite discussions. Therefore, UNTAG Cirebon students must be proactive; actively digging up journal references, enlivening dialectic spaces, and developing soft skills independently. Another absolute requirement is critical thinking skills. Students must have the intellectual courage to question received information, analyze the roots of complex problems, and formulate relevant solutions. Collaborative competence is equally important, where each individual will be demanded to work agilely in groups, interact with figures from cross-backgrounds, in order to build professional networking that is invaluable for building a future career.

Facing the Storm of Global Labor Market Disruption

The real challenge right before our eyes, which was also comprehensively dissected, is the occurrence of a tectonic shift in the labor market. Based on the global research projections presented, the rapid improvement and adoption of artificial intelligence and automation technology will eliminate many traditional jobs. The projections show that about 3.5 million job positions in crucial sectors such as agriculture and mining will disappear. Similar conditions affect the retail and wholesale trade sector with a loss of 1.6 million jobs, followed by the manufacturing sector, which is predicted to lay off around 1.5 million of its workers. This job destruction will mostly hit repetitive types of work, such as machine operators, workers with primary school qualifications, to skilled agricultural workers.

However, every crisis always sets the stage for new opportunities. Although many jobs are eroded, the industrial revolution also births millions of new professions that were previously unimaginable. It was noted that as much as 62% of future jobs are projected to be concentrated in the modern construction sector, integrated transportation and tourism, as well as digital retail transformation.

For graduates who do not want to be crushed by the times, bridging the skills gap is the only way out. The skills most sought after by industries in the future will no longer focus on physical strength. Graduates must master high-level basic skills such as analytical reading comprehension, professional writing proficiency, and active listening skills. Flexible interactive skills are also required, which include advanced negotiation skills and the art of persuasion. And its main foundation is the mastery of Information Technology (IT) skills, including an understanding of programming logic to system design expertise.

Becoming a SMART and Unyielding Generation

As a crystallization of various heavy challenges in the future, the Head of LLDIKTI Region IV formulated an ideal profile that must be adopted by every student. The profile is named the “Excellent Generation” or a generation with superior character. Excellent students are those who internalize six core values: Professional, Integrity, Neutral, Transformative, Adaptive, and Realistic.

A scholar must work with a highly professional attitude; hold fast to the compass of integrity (moral honesty); remain neutral (objective) when looking at a case; possess a transformative vision to bring improvements; be highly adaptive to sudden waves of change; as well as grounded and realistic in executing their life plans.

To close the thought-provoking coaching session, the projector screen displayed a golden quote from the nation’s visionary figure, the late B.J. Habibie. The quote read: “Success is not about who is the smartest, but who is the most persistent in trying”. This advice was echoed as an eternal reminder for the KIP Kuliah scholarship recipients at UNTAG Cirebon, that high cognitive intelligence will never be meaningful unless accompanied by persistence, mental resilience, and the courage to rise from failure.

Not to forget, Dr. Lukman left an important reflection at the end of the event, that a student’s achievement never stands in a vacuum. “Your Success is Due to Hard Work and Parents’ Prayers As Well As the Guidance of Lecturers and Teachers,” he messaged with full emphasis.

Through intensive coaching and the availability of the government’s KIP Kuliah facility, Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Cirebon places great hope. It is hoped that there will no longer be walls of financial barriers capable of burying the potential of the nation’s children. It is time to realize this spirit of togetherness in accordance with the scholarship campaign jargon: #KIPKULIAHMERAIHPRESTASIMENGGAPAIMIMPI (#KIPKuliahAchievingAchievementsReachingDreams). It is time for the students to hurry up and equip themselves, achieve the highest achievements, soar to reach their goals, and in the future bring a good name to their alma mater UNTAG Cirebon, serving for the glory of the homeland and the nation.