EduAsiaNews, Jakarta — Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ) commemorated the 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence with a flag-raising ceremony at the Pondok Labu Campus in South Jakarta on Monday (August 17, 2026). UPNVJ Rector Prof. Dr. Anter Venus, M.A., Comm., served as the ceremony’s presiding officer, joined by university leaders, lecturers, administrative staff, and students.
This year’s celebration highlighted Indonesia’s cultural diversity through the wearing of traditional attire from across the archipelago, while 27 UPNVJ employees and retirees were honored for their years of service and dedication.
The variety of traditional costumes worn by participants transformed the solemn Independence Day ceremony into a celebration of Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage. Different patterns, garments, and regional identities came together on the same field, reflecting the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika—Unity in Diversity—at UPNVJ as a State Defense University.
The August 17 ceremony was part of UPNVJ’s series of activities commemorating the 81st Independence Anniversary, held from August 4 to 18, 2026. The program included competitions, the Independence Day ceremony, and an Independence Bazaar.
As part of the ceremony, Rector Venus read the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence, paying tribute to the nation’s founders while reminding the university community that independence must be carried forward through achievement, responsibility, and service.
He also delivered the address of the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology on the occasion of the 81st Independence Anniversary. The message emphasized the role of higher education institutions in advancing the nation through improvements in educational quality, the development of science and technology, and meaningful contributions to society and national development.
For UPNVJ, the commemoration also served as an opportunity to translate nationalism into academic life. As a State Defense University, UPNVJ seeks to embody the values of national struggle through integrity, professionalism, innovation, service, and meaningful contributions to society.
Four Employees Honored for Years of Service
UPNVJ presented long-service awards to four employees in recognition of their consistent dedication and contributions to the university’s development.
The recipients were Dio Aris Setiawan, S.Kom., M.M., for five years of service; Dr. Suherman, S.H., LLM, for 15 years; Lidya Primta Surbakti, S.E., M.Si., Ak., CA., Ph.D., for 25 years; and Giyanto, for 35 years of service.
The awards underscore the importance of human resources in ensuring institutional continuity, particularly through the consistent performance of duties and commitment to serving the university community.
UPNVJ Pays Tribute to 12 Retirees
The university also honored 12 retired employees who had completed their years of service at UPNVJ.
They were Dr. Purwanto Widodo, S.Si., M.Si.; Suharyati, S.E., M.M.; Ir. Muhamad As’adi; Dra. Fitri Yetti, M.M.; Dra. Pusporini, M.M.; Yuliniar, S.E., M.M.; Alfida, M.M.; Ali Rochim; Muhammad Napis; Sartiwan, A.Md.; Soripada Hamsa Siregar, S.T.; and Yully Purwanto.
The retirees came from the Faculty of Economics and Business, Faculty of Engineering, and the Bureau of Planning, Finance, and General Affairs. The recognition represented the university’s appreciation for their dedication, loyalty, and contributions throughout their careers at UPNVJ.
Eleven Employees Receive Satyalancana Karya Satya
On the same occasion, 11 UPNVJ employees received the Satyalancana Karya Satya, a state honor recognizing loyalty and dedicated service in carrying out their duties as public servants.
Five employees received the Satyalancana Karya Satya XXX Tahun for 30 years of service: Dr. Een Kurnasih, S.K.M., M.Kes.; Drs. Sarlan, M.H.; Naslan, S.E.; Akhmad Saehani, S.E., M.Si.; and Sulastri, S.H., M.H.
Six others received the Satyalancana Karya Satya XX Tahun for 20 years of service: Prof. Dr. Ir. Netti Herawati, M.Si.; Sri Mulyantini, S.E., M.M.; Sumilir, S.E., M.M.; Atik Winanti, S.H., M.H.; Taufik M, S.Pd., M.M.; and Dr. Agus Joko Susanto, S.K.M., M.K.K.K.
The awards continue UPNVJ’s tradition of recognizing employees for their dedication and commitment to public service. At the university’s 80th Independence Anniversary celebration in 2025, UPNVJ likewise presented Satyalancana Karya Satya awards to employees in recognition of their service to the nation.
Diversity and Dedication at the Heart of UPNVJ’s Independence Message
This year’s 81st Independence Anniversary celebration brought together two central messages: unity in diversity and appreciation for service. The traditional attire worn by members of the university community reflected Indonesia’s rich cultural identities as a unifying strength, while the recognition of employees and retirees underscored the importance of service in carrying forward the meaning of independence.
For UPNVJ, the spirit of national defense extends far beyond ceremonial occasions. Education, research, innovation, community engagement, professional integrity, and public service provide tangible avenues through which the university community can contribute to the nation.
This direction is consistent with Rector Prof. Dr. Anter Venus’s emphasis that national values must be reflected in concrete attitudes and actions rather than merely understood as concepts. Across UPNVJ’s various national and civic initiatives, Venus has consistently highlighted character, integrity, social responsibility, and national commitment as important elements of the university’s identity as a State Defense University.
Through its commemoration of Indonesia’s 81st Independence Anniversary, UPNVJ reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the meaning of independence through unity, integrity, hard work, and meaningful contributions to Indonesia.(www.upnvj.ac.id)
