Importance of Developing Students’ Character

Currently, the government of Indonesia through the Ministry of Education and Culture is earnestly conducting character education to the young generation. This character building is not only carried out in the institutions of Higher Education, but also started from an early age. This was said by Ratna Megawangi as a resource person in the training "Character Development for Student Caretakers to be an Educator of Character for Qualified IPB" held by the Directorate of Student Affairs in the IPB International Convention Center (10/11).

This character building is important given the fact that one survey states that the majority of Indonesian people like committing bribery. Also, according to a survey by PERC (Political and Economic Risk Consultancy), Indonesia is a country with the highest violation in Asia.

Further, Ratna Megawangi suggests that  to build the character, students involve themselves more in activities of social care on campus by directly dealing with various social issues, public policies, corruption and poverty. The spirit of this guidance is also included in the activities of the students’ Field Work (KKN). The training on Character Building for the Student Affairs Caretakers of IPB was opened by the Director of Student Affairs, Dr. Rimbawan. (Mtd)