“Many students came all the way across Indonesia to chase their dreams on becoming the best, devoting their lives for the sake of the country, for their family, and for themselves, with the act of fortune by attending the best university in Indonesia,” said Ridwan Kamil in the presence of 4.651 undergraduate students during the event.

As an Architecture Alumni of ITB '90, he gave four major points during his speech, with one being said “Your biggest enemy is yourself, and not anyone else,” he stated.

Being slothful, defeatist, arrogant, enjoys nattering, flexing, prejudice, and every other negative aspect shown within ourselves are the biggest enemy that can break our courage to graduate from ITB and stops us from devoting life to the nation with our academic potential.

Secondly, he reminds us that success itself is a multidimensional thing. We have to work hard as there is no success without hard work. We have to be smart in implementing the advanced technology we have today. “Technology can be used to spread good things, but it can also be the source of hoaxes and lies,” he said.

Third, getting things done. Ridwan Kamil hopes that the students can finish their studies in ITB. He prayed that the number of students in the Class of 2023 that was present during the OSKM can graduate with the same amount.

“Everyone must unite in the presence of ITB, not just within each faculty and majors. Good knowledge and fellowships have to expand with insights and interests that are also not detained because one day, connections will be everything,” he added.

Lastly, he apprised that to be a superpower country, we have to spread love and tolerate differences that we have in the world. We have to work through problems that may crush our dreams, like stunting problems occuring to the new generations of Indonesians, and also to have good insights in science and technology.

“Possess extensive knowledge on digital revolutions, robotics, AI, manipulations of science, beat climate change, study biotechnology, and more,” he mentioned.

He entrusted Indonesia 20-30 years from now in the hands of the new generation, to reach the golden era of Indonesia as one of the superpowers of the world.

Reporter: Muh. Umar Thoriq (Food Engineering, 2019)

Translator: Kezia Hosana Sihombing

Editor: Anggi Nurdiani (Manajemen, 2021)