NU supreme council awarded honorary degree from UI

Jakarta, NU Online
The supreme council of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Jusuf Kalla received honoris causa doctorate degree in leadership from University of Indonesia (UI), a state university generally considered the most prestigious university in the country.<>

The ceremony was held on Saturday (Feb 9) morning, at Balairung University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java which coincided with the graduation day for 4,076 graduates from vocational, bachelor, master, and doctorate programs.

First Lady Ani Yudhoyono also attended the ceremony. First Lady along with her son Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono attended the ceremony to accompanying Agus’ wife, Annisa Larasati Pohan, who graduated from Magister Management program of UI’s School of Economy.

Acting UI Rector Djoko Santoso explains Kalla deserved the honorary doctorate degree for his good role in leadership. According to Djoko, Kalla fulfills twelve characteristics of a transformational leader such as visionary, integrity, commitment, passion, self-esteem and dedication.

“Kalla approached the problem pragmatically and he is brave to take a risk. He always believes any problem can be resolved. That’s why he is worth to receive honoris causa doctorate degree in leadership,” said Djoko in his speech on Saturday.

Kalla, meanwhile, feels happy with the honorary doctorate degree. “A leader must be brave to take a decision but he must also be ready with any risk of the decision he made. Nowadays, we’re facing a crisis of trust, while society’s problems need a responsive and fast decision to resolve them. We need decisiveness, speed and intelligence to explain to people and resolving the problems,” said Kalla in his speech in front of thousands of UI’s graduates.

Kalla was accompanied by his wife Mufidah Kalla. Kalla, who is former Golkar Party chairman, is considered as one of president candidates for next year's race. Kalla is currently member of the University of Indonesia Board of Trustees (MWA UI) since April 2012. Kalla currently serves as chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI). He is also chairman of the Indonesian Mosques Council (DMI) for 2012-2017 period.

Kalla's bid for presidency in 2009 election ended up in a distant third behind winner SBY and runner-up Megawati. He entered the race with General (ret) Wiranto as vice president candidate.

Editor : Sudarto Murtaufiq