“Education is the right of every nation” signifies that, beyond being a core component of the 1945 Constitution and Law No. 20 of 2003, education serves as the foundation for building a genuine and sustainable civilization.

In the modern era and Society 5.0, it is undeniable that education has become one of the most essential aspects of our lives. Nevertheless, at times humans tend to “move faster” than the knowledge that education seeks to impart—whether due to time constraints or social demands.

According to the 20th-century German-American philosopher Herbert Marcuse, modern humans tend to revolve within a single dimension, driven by practical interests and economic utility (value-driven actions). He further argued that this one-dimensional mode of thinking diminishes our sense of curiosity toward phenomena we consider unimportant—leading, in simple terms, to indifference.

Comfort or conformity, facilitated by tools such as AI that can summarize tasks and answer questions, presents new challenges for the world of education and research. Drawing from the Frankfurt School principle (1923), conformity born out of convenience must not restrain curiosity, nor reduce education and knowledge to mere words on paper.

Fundamentally, it is curiosity about even the smallest things that has nurtured the growth of education throughout history. Curiosity awakens human emancipation. At the same time, the courage to keep trying in the face of failure plays a crucial role in fostering the desire to learn.

As we approach National Education Day on May 2, 2026, themed “Strengthening Collective Participation to Achieve Quality Education for All,” as promoted by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, we are once again reminded that transformation and the educational ecosystem are inherently dynamic. Every stakeholder plays a role in shaping our intellectual progress—sic pavis magna, greatness from small beginnings.

At its core, education is the builder of civilization. Beginning from a state of not knowing, education continually drives human development, ultimately shaping individuals who are both emotionally and intellectually competent, with strong character.

Education also serves as a forum where like-minded individuals can generate ideas, supported by research and knowledge as their foundation.

The presence of education, along with literacy, can transform aspirations and inspire innovation—from initially individualistic pursuits (“one”) into collective aspirations (“all”), sustained through knowledge as the enduring legacy of education.

As part of the broader academic and educational ecosystem, Universitas Dian Nusantara (UNDIRA) remains committed to consistently delivering quality education. Mr. Sagoro Dharmawan, Chairman of the Dian Asra Foundation, stated that education today not only carries the strength to sustain the heartbeat of civilization through academic pathways, but also serves as a bridge between knowledge and wisdom—both of which cannot be replaced by AI—and has the potential to rebuild a civilization eroded by conflict and tension.