EduAsiaNews, Depok – As an effort to commemorate an inspiring figure, statesman, and teacher of the nation, Prof. Dr. Juwono Sudarsono, the University of Indonesia (UI), through its Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), organized a book launch entitled “Juwono Sudarsono: Teacher, Scholar & Statesman” at the Juwono Sudarsono Auditorium, UI Depok Campus, on Wednesday (6 May). The book launch was held in conjunction with the 40th day of Prof. Juwono’s passing, a figure with an extensive academic track record and significant contributions not only to UI but also to Indonesia.
The book compiles 46 writings in the form of obituaries from colleagues, former students, staff, family members, and national figures who had interacted with the late Prof. Juwono. According to the Dean of FISIP UI, Prof. Evi Fitriani, Ph.D., the work does not merely document personal memories but also reflects Prof. Juwono’s thoughts on political economy development, civil-military relations, democratization, social justice, and international relations. “He was a combination of a highly capable academic thinker, a statesman, and a humble individual who cared deeply for others. This book serves as a window to understand the intellectual dynamics of Prof. Juwono,” she said.
The event was attended by the Rector of the University of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU; the Minister of Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia, Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara; the family of the late Prof. Juwono; university and faculty leaders; lecturers; and students of FISIP UI. In his remarks, Minister Iftitah recalled Prof. Juwono as a mentor who emphasized the importance of unity, mutual cooperation, and social justice as the foundation of national development. “His example shows that the role of an educator does not end in the classroom but also shapes ways of thinking and character,” he said.
The son of the late Prof. Juwono, Vishnu Juwono, expressed his appreciation for the initiative of FISIP UI. He stated that his father had a strong bond with FISIP UI and dedicated his life with integrity, hard work, and sincerity. Rector Prof. Heri Hermansyah added that the Juwono family had long contributed through scholarship programs, including the Juwono Center. “May this book become an enduring memory as well as a source of inspiration for students and readers,” he said.
Prof. Juwono Sudarsono was widely known as an academic, bureaucrat, and national figure. During his career at UI, he served as Dean of FISIP UI (1988–1994) and played a pioneering role in establishing the Department of International Relations at FISIP UI in 1985. He developed a curriculum that linked international political theory with the practice of diplomacy and public policy.
At the national level, he served as Deputy Governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) (1995–1998), Minister of Education and Culture (1998–1999), and Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia (1999–2000 and 2004–2009). He was the first civilian Minister of Defense since Djuanda Kartawidjaja (1957–1959).
His academic legacy at UI has produced generations of international relations scholars and practitioners who now work across various fields. His ideas on civil-military relations, democratization, and social justice remain relevant in addressing national challenges.
Through this book launch, UI reaffirms its commitment as a national university that produces thinkers and statesmen. The intellectual legacy of Prof. Juwono Sudarsono is not only part of FISIP UI’s history but also serves as a foundational pillar for the development of international relations studies in Indonesia. By commemorating him, UI is committed to maintaining a critical, humanistic, and nation-oriented academic tradition, while inspiring the younger generation to continue his role as a teacher of the nation in the future.
