Beyond a Profession Education Lives as a Discipline of Knowledge and Social Change
Insof Waeji
As a student who studied in Indonesia for seven years, from bachelor’s to master’s level, I feel this is an extraordinary award. I am truly grateful to Allah SWT for being given the opportunity to gain knowledge in the land of the Republic of Indonesia, especially to be part of the Indonesian International Islamic University (UIII). This campus is relatively new, and I was fortunate to be part of the third batch at the Faculty of Education. Despite its young age, UIII offers progressive learning innovations as well as a rigorous and focused education system.
For me, continuing my studies in the field of education is a dream I have been dreaming of for a long time. Education here is not only understood as limited to printing teachers of subjects. More than that, I found that educational science covers various important aspects on a large scale from policy, literacy, well-being, assessment, evaluation, technology, leadership, equity, society, to educational philosophy. People often ask me, “Then what kind of teacher will you be after you graduated? English teacher, right?” That question sometimes makes me smile, because the answer is not that simple. The knowledge of education that I learned is not only about teaching in the classroom, but also about the contribution that can be made to the education sector in general, even touching the realm of political and economic policy. Explaining it is sometimes quite complicated, but that is exactly where the wealth of this discipline lies.
Education at UIII is also the main field for me to try to become a researcher, participating in conferences, and get involved in various projects that contribute to the field of education. Through this experience, I had the opportunity to interact and learn directly from academics, researchers, and inspiring lecturers, who are not only enriched my vision but also shaped my critical thinking and professionalism. In addition, the various tasks given by lecturers are varied, ranging from individual work to group projects, from academic essays to scientific articles. All of that has indirectly sharpened my writing skills and analytical skills. The process requires patience, creativity, and the ability to work together, so I feel that this academic journey shapes my character and way of thinking.
More than that, the experience of learning in class is enjoyable and challenging. Each subject is like a piece of a puzzle that slowly merges into a big picture of the world of education. Class discussions teach us to think critically, especially because the friends come from various countries with diverse experiences and educational contexts. As a student from Southern Thailand a region with a complex, unique political system that has direct implications for education, I learned a lot to compare best practices from other countries while reflecting on the challenges in my home country. Looking back on this seven-year journey, I realize that my time in RI and at UIII has been more than just obtaining knowledge, it has been process of growth, self-discovery, and building a vision for the kind of contribution I hope to make in the education field. As I move forward, I carry with me the invaluable experiences of collaboration, research, and intercultural engagement that have shaped me into the educator I aspire to become.