Innovations from Universitas Dian Nuswantoro (Udinus) amazed and provided education to all domestic and foreign visitors who attended the Independence Learning Festival or the Merdeka Belajar Festival. The displayed products include the Udinus Chess Robot called Roca-KU, Udinus Electric Pedicap or Becik-KU, VR Budhara, and even Sekar Nuswantoro Gamelan Robot.
The purpose of the festival was to enliven the 2024 National Education Day (Hardiknas), which was held for three days on May 24-26, 2024. On May 24, 2024, the event was held at Hotel Grand Arthos Magelang. Then on May 25 and 26, 2024, the event continued at Aksobya Park of Borobudur Temple. Through the festival, the Ministry of Education of Indonesia has provided information to the public related to educational and cultural transformation. Particularly related to collaboration between lecturers and students from various universities, including innovative products made by Udinus.
The visitors also alternately tried the devices at the Udinus booth. Some high-school students from Magelang even tried to defeat the chess robot or Roca-KU. The gamelan sound from Sekar Nuswantoro Gamelan Robot further brightened up the festival. Additionally, VR Budhara and Becik-Ku also did not miss to be trialed by the guests who attended the event.
Making an appearance at the Merdeka Belajar Festival, the Vice-Chancellor III for Student Affairs, Dr. Kusni Ingsih, M.M., also welcomed to give her appreciation to all of the visitors. The Festival was initiated by the Ministry of Education through the Technical Implementation Unit located in the working area of Central Java Province. Dr. Kusni stated that a festival that has exhibitions filled with innovations from universities is different from a typical show-off event. Rather it is an inspirational window that opens a broader perspective into a new world to the public.
“The products that we presented are able to re-introduce local culture to the younger generation and show the development of what Udinus has made so far. We think visitors were satisfied with our innovations. Hopefully, they felt inspired," said Dr. Kusni Ingsih, M.M., whilst sharing information related to the Merdeka Belajar Festival which was followed by Udinus.
Appreciating the Role of Education
When opening the Independence Learning Month Exhibition at Aksobya Park, Borobudur Temple, Plh. The Head of the Cooperation and Public Relations Bureau, Ministry of Education, Anang Ristanto said that the commemoration of National Education Day 2024 is an important moment to appreciate the role of education in building the nation. Furthermore, this can also reflect on achievements, evaluate challenges, and formulate strategic steps to welcome the golden generation in 2045.
“Independence Learning Program has now become a large and sustainable movement that belongs to the community. Every element of the educational and cultural ecosystem is now increasingly empowered. Now that teachers are able to become learning leaders by creating a safe, comfortable, and fun learning-teaching process, the cultural community is increasingly empowered to create a sustainable cultural ecosystem. Students become more motivated to innovate while facing real-world challenges. Students across Indonesia are ready to embrace the future with a liberating education," said Anang.
The Merdeka Learning Month series has been preceded by the Merdeka Curriculum Festival, one of which is the Merdeka Curriculum Story Portrait Competition. Then there was the Independence Learning Exhibition which was complemented by 70 booths including various art performances. (Udinus Public Relation/Alex. Photo: Doc. Student Affairs Udinus)
