Pekantara 2025: Not Just a Work Exhibition, But Also Student Character Development

One of the UMN student teams presenting their poster. (Doc. UMN)

Tangerang, (12/10/2025) – In developing student character, UMN not only provides tasks and theories. UMN provides education that also guides students to have an impact on society. Through Pekantara activities, students are expected to provide sustainable solutions for the general public.

In the world of education, especially in higher education, institutions are not only required to equip students for the future with competent and up-to-date knowledge. In the midst of technological advances, higher education institutions also play a significant role in individual character development. UMN, in its learning process, not only applies theory but also equips students with soft skills, as evidenced by the Pekantara activity.

Pekantara is a program under the auspices of Humanities Studies that discusses religiosity, citizenship, and Pancasila. Humanities Studies also provides students with three semesters of training, a strategic step aimed at developing student character.

“Every year, we design various themes that Pekantara can raise. This year, Pekantara emphasizes the development of students as young leaders. We also designed this learning program to hone students’ soft skills,” Ferry Fransiskus Doringin, Chair of the 2025 Pekantara Activity, said.

Ferry also emphasized UMN’s Humanities Studies’ main vision, which focuses on developing strong character in students, and this learning program is carried out over three semesters. Over the three semesters, students receive different learning emphases and produce different outputs.

“In the first semester, the religious studies course emphasizes field observation and looking at the situation in society. In the second semester, they conduct research and direct observation. In the third semester, we encourage students to take action based on the results of their research and observations. This activity must also produce solutions needed by the community,” Ferry added.

For Ferry, some students may find this general course boring. However, if explored more deeply and with consideration of the community’s real needs, this course can have an impact and open new perspectives for students. This course is expected to not only develop students’ soft skills but also their leadership abilities.

“I hope that in the future, Pekantara activities can involve more students, and hopefully, this can become a hallmark of UMN. Of course, I also hope that the development of these activities will be more interesting and have a wider impact on society. We hope that this will become the right learning model for building student character through projects and community involvement,” Ferry concluded.

Dr. Ni Wayan Ayu Permata Sari, S.Pd., M.Pd., the Coordinator of the Pekantara 2025 Program, also explained in more detail about the annual Humanities Study program. This program is not only a showcase of students’ work over one semester, but also encourages interaction, collaboration, and discussion among students.

“This activity is important so that students can directly engage in the field and have an impact on the community, especially the villages supported by UMN and other communities. Students also produce various works ranging from posters, research, to various products such as software to provide solutions to the community,” Ayu said.

Ayu also said that this activity not only hones the leadership skills of the younger generation but also directly sharpens students’ critical and analytical thinking and, most importantly, instills the values of UMN’s 5Cs (Caring, Credible, Competent, Competitive, and Customer Delight).

By Rachel Tiffany | UMN News Service

English translation by Levina Chrestella Theodora

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