Jakarta held a public lecture with the theme of Literacy and Recognizing the Potential of Storytelling and Writing in the hall of STT IKAT Jakarta.
Present as keynote speakers at this public lecture, Nia S. Amira Writer and Journalist, Ruslan Nasibov, Charge D'Affaires, Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Indonesia, and John Miller, Urban Development Specialist and Social & Culture Observer, Eurasia Diary reports.
Before the event began, the committee performed a Tortor dance from Batak, North Sumatra by STT IKAT Jakarta students to welcome the honor guests.
The Vice Rector of STT IKAT Jakarta, Dr. Lasino J. Putro, M.Th, M.Pd in his speech representing the Rector, Dr. Jimmy MR Lumintang, MBA, M.Th, explained the profile of STT IKAT Jakarta. "STT IKAT was established on February 12, 1986 and it means that we have been around for 33 years. Dr. Lasino Putro and STT IKAT Jakarta is grateful to have the honor guests in their campus.
Nia S. Amira as one of the speakers said, literacy is a good program issued by the government to make people become fond of reading. According to Nia, there are 8 types of literacy that can be learned; media literacy, digital literacy, information literacy, scientific literacy, legal literacy, constitutional literacy, macroeconomic literacy, and literary literacy.
Nia S. Amira who has been writing since the age of 13 and has won various writing and poetry competitions, said that writing is more important than reading. Someone who will write something automatically will find references to her/his writing. The most important thing is that writing can affect other people.
"People who like to write definitely like to read, while people who like to read do not necessarily like to write. So it is more important to write than to read, "said Nia Amira who is also a media consultant at the Azerbaijan embassy.
On the same occasion, Ruslan Nasibov, Charge D'Affaires of the Azerbaijan Embassy in Jakarta, explained briefly about the state of Azerbaijan. "Azerbaijan is a country bordered by Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Iran," said Mr. Ruslan Nasibov translated by Nia Amira.
Ruslan said, Indonesia and Azerbaijan has close bilateral relations, understand that Indonesia was one of the first countries that recognize the state status of Azerbaijan. "Indonesia and Azerbaijan have a lot in common. University of Languages which is located in the capital city of Baku, Azerbaijan is the only campus that provides Indonesian Language program for its students and now many students feel grateful to choose major in Indonesian Language, "said Ruslan Nasibov. Furthermore, Ruslan who will end his post at the Azerbaijan Embassy to Indonesia explained that in the development of the Azerbaijan state after secession from the Soviet Union in 1992, the Azerbaijan government is very concerned about education for its people. With a population of ten million in April 2019, Azerbaijan already has 33 public universities and 11 private universities. Although there are 90% Muslim population in Azerbaijan, this country is a secular state. Through its heritage, Azerbaijan has a church that has been existing since the 5th century, a mosque since the 8th century, and a Jewish community that has been in the country around 1500 years ago.
STT IKAT also invited John Miller who gave his remarks about the importance of education today.
The afternoon public lecture was closed by a dazzling performance by the students of STT IKAT who performed Betawi and Tobelo dances. The committee gave souvenirs and certificates to the speakers. It was such a friendly afternoon and guest honors together with the officials of campus and the students gathered in photo session.