The Faculty of Humanities of the Universitas Indonesia (FIB UI) hosted a Public Discussion on the Writing of Indonesian History Books held by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia on Friday, July 25, 2025. This activity aims to gather input from academics, students, and the wider community for the improvement of national history book manuscripts that are inclusive, accurate, and reflect the nation’s identity.
The event was opened by the Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, who emphasized the importance of writing history from an Indonesia-centric perspective. “History is the identity of the nation. We must write our history so that future generations understand Indonesia from the nation’s perspective,” he said. On this occasion, the Rector of Universitas Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU. Delivered his speech through a video.
In his remarks, the Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs who was the Acting Dean of FIB UI, Dr. Untung Yuwono, S.S., expressed his appreciation for the trust given to FIB UI as a strategic partner, as well as to academics from the Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia, to be involved in the preparation of Indonesian history books. This forum is expected to produce valuable input for the preparation of history books that are accurate and reflect the nation’s identity and national spirit.
The public discussion was attended by more than 200 offline participants, consisting of interdisciplinary students, lecturers, teachers, education personnel, and history observers. Also present were officials from the Ministry of Culture, the General Editors and Volume Editors of Indonesian History Book Writing, as well as academics from various universities in Indonesia. The General Editors, including Prof. Dr. Susanto Zuhdi, M.Hum.; Prof. Dr. Singgih Tri Sulistiyono, M.Hum.; and Prof. Jajat Burhanudin, M.A., explained the drafting process and the contents of the ten main volumes, which have now reached more than 5,500 pages, involving 112 authors from 34 universities and eight non-university institutions.
Also attending the discussion were Vice Rector for Infrastructure and Facilities of the Universitas Indonesia, Prof. Agus Setiawan, S.Kp., M.N., D.N., Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, Prof. Dr. Bambang Wibawarta, S.S., M.A., Director General for the Protection of Culture and Tradition, Dr. Restu Gunawan, Secretary of the Directorate General for the Protection of Culture and Tradition, Wawan Yogaswara, M.Hum., Director of History and Museum, Head of Public Relations and Public Communication Bureau, Special Staff of the Minister of Culture, Assistant Deputy for Cultural Promotion and Preservation, Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, and other honored guests.
The presence of the Faculty of Humanities as host emphasizes the faculty’s position as a center for the humanities in Indonesia. FIB UI is committed to supporting the creation of historical works that not only serve as learning materials but also strengthen the younger generation’s awareness of national identity and reinforce national values in everyday life. (RMRW)
