Jakarta- The Directorate General of Higher Education Prof. Dr. Ir. Djoko Santoso, M.Sc., officially opened the 13th Congress of Association of Social Scientists (HISPISI) at the University of Muhammadiyah Prof Dr Hamka (UHAMKA) campus in Pasar Rebo on Nov 7, 2011. In his opening remarks, Djoko Santoso said that nowadays Indonesia is facing various social problems. One of the problems is character weakening in public life. The problem becomes the challenge of social scientists.
Djoko Santoso hopes that the congress conducted in Jakarta will give solution on how to solve various problems happening in society. “The challenge for social scientists is getting heavy, namely, participating in solving numerous problems in society," said he.Djoko Santoso is convinced that the scientists can contriibute to build national character through education. Character education is very important for Indonesia because in character education good values will be taught, so it will good effect for environment. Besides, character education coherently reflects as a result of way of thinking, heart process, body process, and sensitivity.
“Character education is a part of social science. And social science is important and noble because it can form character. Character education must be planted on pupils since it will give positive effect to public life," said Djoko Santoso. In the meantime, UHAMKA rector Prof. Dr. H. Suyatno, M,Pd greatly welcomed the congress whose opening was conducted at main campus of UHAMKA in Pasar Rebo, East Jakarta.
Prof. Suyatno hopes the congress can give real contribution in solving various social problems in society. Besides, it can create new formula in attracting people interest, especially students and university students, in social science like history, etc.
Prof. Suyatno also said that the HISPISI congress can be a transformational direction for social science education in Indonesia, can reflect educational process in the effort to strengthen national identity and character, and can strengthen and sharpen the position of social science.
The 13th HISPISI congress, combined with National Seminar, presented 6 speakers: Prof. Daoed Joesoef, Ph.D, Prof. Dr. Yunan Yusuf, Prof. Dr. Suyatno, M.Pd, Hamid Muhammad, M. Sc, Ph.D, Dr. KH. Abdullah Syukri Zarkasi, MA, and Prof. Zamroni, M.Sc, Ph.D. Prior to the congress, there was a speech contest for students of SMA, SMK and MA. 24 schools across Jakarta joined the contest. (www.uhamka.ac.id)
(trans by hamzah - uhamka)