PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi invited the West Java Islamic Students Association (KAHMI) Alumni Corps to strengthen the role of academics so that they do not stop at the realm of thought, but are able to produce works and have a real impact on society.

This message was delivered by Dedi Mulyadi when he was the keynote speaker at the Official Opening of the VII Regional Conference (Muswil) of KAHMI West Java at the Grand Asrili Hotel Convention, Bandung City, Friday (7/8/2026) evening.

According to Dedi Mulyadi, the nation's problems cannot be resolved simply through regime change or regulatory changes. Indonesia needs ideas that can be translated into concrete actions and stem from an awareness of the roots of Nusantara culture.

KDM -- as he's familiarly known -- believes there's been a gap between academic thinking and the realities of community life. In fact, various problems in urban areas surrounding educational centers illustrate that scientific knowledge hasn't fully translated into solutions.

KDM said that the ancestors of the archipelago did not make knowledge limited to a collection of books or writings, but rather manifested it in the form of awareness and real work.

Therefore, according to him, the measure of success in knowledge is not only how many academic degrees are achieved, but also the extent to which the knowledge provides benefits to public life.

"Our academics often take on a normative administrative nature, aimed at achieving degrees, without honesty and fairness, and without upholding the values of truth," he said.

KDM then emphasized the importance of academic people being creators or innovators.

According to him, an intellectual does not only have to have knowledge, but must also be able to produce something that can be felt to be of benefit to society.

"If you're a creator, you have to create something. You could create a song, an architectural work, an educational system, an application system, or an energy system," he said.

In this context, "Mr. Aing" also encouraged KAHMI to be able to translate big ideas and Islamic values into simple language that is easy for the public to understand.

"All heavenly languages must be explained in earthly languages," he said.

The West Java Governor also cited the character Semar from the wayang puppet show, which he believes illustrates the importance of a leader within society. Despite his high position, Semar chooses to be present as a citizen and leader at the grassroots level so he can directly impact change.

"For Semar, living in heaven is indeed honorable and high. But it's meaningless because he can't change anything. But by becoming a village head, he can change a civilization," said KDM.

WEST JAVA PUBLIC RELATIONS
Head of the Communication and Information Service of West Java Province
Adi Komar