Tangerang Selatan, October 1, 2025 – Under the clear sky of the Universitas Terbuka (UT) central office courtyard, a solemn atmosphere prevailed. Hundreds of academics stood straight, participating in the 2025 Pancasila Sanctity Day Commemoration Ceremony, which carried the theme, “Pancasila: The Nation’s Glue Towards a Greater Indonesia (Pancasila Perekat Bangsa Menuju Indonesia Raya).” The Rector of UT, Prof. Ali Muktiyanto, S.E., M.Si., acted as the ceremonial inspector, leading the proceedings with full reverence.
The ceremony proceeded in an orderly manner, adhering to national guidelines, beginning with general respects, a moment of silence, followed by the reading of the Pancasila text, the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution, the pledge, and a joint prayer. Every segment felt deeply meaningful, serving as a reminder of the nation’s historical struggle and how Pancasila remains the sturdy pillar supporting the Indonesian nation to this day. The pledge that was read reinforced the nation’s commitment to making Pancasila a source of strength in maintaining national unity and integrity.
For UT, this year’s theme is more than just a motto. Pancasila as the nation’s glue finds its concrete realization in the educational mission it carries out. As an open and distance higher education institution, UT reaches students from diverse backgrounds: from urban centers to remote areas, from workers to housewives, from the young generation to adult learners. This difference is not a divider but a strength woven together in a single, equal educational space.
This is how UT interprets Pancasila: by making education a binding agent that connects the diversity of the nation’s children. Through borderless access, UT proves that the ideals of Indonesia Raya (Greater Indonesia) can only be achieved if every citizen is given an equal opportunity to develop. Education becomes the bridge, and Pancasila is the moral foundation guiding that journey.
The ceremony also reflected the link between Pancasila and the sustainable development agenda or Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The values of social justice, unity, and humanity contained in Pancasila align with global goals in delivering Quality Education (SDG 4), Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10), and strengthening social peace. With its distance learning model, UT has proven itself to be a driving force for inclusive education, contributing tangibly to the achievement of the SDGs while strengthening the national character.
Pancasila Sanctity Day at UT is not just a commemoration of history but also a reminder of the direction for the future. That the unity of the nation cannot be separated from the role of education that is equitable, inclusive, and sustainable. By making Pancasila the foundation in all its endeavors, UT asserts itself not just as an academic institution but also as the nation’s glue towards a Greater Indonesia—a nation that is strong, advanced, and just.
