President of IPB University Student Executive Board: Leadership is About Diversity, Not Uniformity
Muhammad Afif Fahreza, President of IPB University Student Executive Board, said that leading the IPB Student Executive Board (BEM-KM) is a dynamic journey.
For Kokoh, as he is affectionately known, leadership is not merely about setting the organization’s agenda, but also about managing a large space inhabited by thousands of students with diverse characters, ideas, and egos.
“IPB University is a miniature of Indonesia. Students come from various regional, cultural, and religious backgrounds, as well as different ways of thinking. Some are critical, some are apathetic, some are technocratic, and some even prefer to engage in arts or sports,” he said.
For him, leadership does not mean standardizing differences, but rather turning them into strengths. BEM is like a big house. Everyone is welcome to enter with their own colors, and my job is to ensure that those colors do not overlap, but form a beautiful mosaic,” he added.
Under his leadership, Kokoh emphasized that BEM IPB University should not merely act as an event organizer. The leadership direction is focused on three flagship programs: advocacy, political literacy, and community service.
In the field of advocacy, he explained, BEM oversees crucial issues ranging from education costs and campus policy transparency to sexual violence. “We don’t want students to feel alone when facing problems. BEM is there with data, studies, and a strong network,” he said.
In addition, political literacy receives serious attention. Kokoh believes that students are the future leaders of the nation, so they need to get used to discussing and thinking critically while still in college. “We create discussion forums, Democracy Classes, and even bring students together with the House of Representatives (DPR) and community leaders so that they get used to talking about politics in a healthy way,” he explained.
Meanwhile, community service programs are realized through the National Safari, the Young Farmers Movement, and village empowerment. “IPB University students must not lose their roots. The knowledge we learn must be returned to the community,” he said.
According to Kokoh, the phenomenon of individualism among students is a consequence of the times. Many students focus on personal achievements, academics, careers, and branding themselves on social media.
“This is not entirely wrong. But the problem arises when individualism closes the space for collectivity. History proves that strong student movements are born from solidarity, not from going it alone,” he explained.
The solution, said Kokoh, is to channel individualism into something socially meaningful. Students with design skills, for example, can help with advocacy campaigns, while those who are good at business can strengthen the student economy. BEM should not be against this trend. Instead, it should manage it so that individualism is transformed into collective energy,” he said.
The declining interest of students in joining organizations is also a concern. Many consider organizations to be exhausting, full of conflict, or irrelevant to future needs.
“The problem is not with the students, but with how organizations are managed. If there are only long meetings without results, it is natural for people to be reluctant to participate,” Kokoh emphasized.
Therefore, BEM IPB University has changed its recruitment and training methods, moving away from rigid indoctrination toward real-world experience. Students who join are immediately involved in social projects, advocacy, or impactful activities.
“Organizations are leadership laboratories. This is where we learn communication, strategy, and conflict management. If students can see the practical benefits, they will become interested again,” he added.
For Kokoh, the key to revitalizing an organization lies in relevance and experience. “Just give them space and trust; let students grow into thriving trees that bear sweet fruit for their surroundings,” he concluded. (AS) (IAAS/KQA)
