Former President B.J. Habibie Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree From University Of Indonesia, January 30, 2010
JAKARTA - Today, 13 years ago, January 30, 2010, Former President of Indonesia, Bacharuddin Jusuf (B.J) Habibie received an honorary doctorate (Honoris Causa) in philosophy and technology from the University of Indonesia (UI).
Habibie earned this title for his dedication to building the nation and state. Previously, Habibie carried Indonesia in the eyes of the world. His great contribution to the aerospace and technology industry. He has even filled the post of prime minister. From the minister to the President of Indonesia.
No one doubts Habibie's existence in building the country. He had voiced the initiation when he was a student in Germany. Not only does he focus on the world of learning on campus, but he is also active in activities outside campus. Seminars, for example.
This activity was held by Habibie to invite all Indonesian students in Germany to return home and develop Indonesia. The recitation made Habibie's name popular among Indonesian students in Germany. This popularity continued when he became an aerospace expert at the German aerospace company, Messerchmidt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB).
The news made him famous throughout the country. President Soeharto was even attracted to bringing Habibie back to his homeland. Moreover, Habibie does have a dream to contribute to the nation and the homeland, especially in the aerospace and technology fields.
Habibie accepted the challenge. Habibie's efforts were successful. Habibie proved that Indonesia is capable of pioneering important Indonesian industries. Because of this, Habibie's path as an official went smoothly. He has held high-profile positions from the Minister of Research and Technology to the President of Indonesia replacing Suharto.
"At the age of 39, Habibie has returned to Indonesia, becoming an adviser to the President of Indonesia in the field of advanced technology. Soon he became a minister and chairman of an institute in the field of technology as well as a state company for strategic industries.”
"As is well known, the pinnacle of his career in government led to the position of Vice President and President of the Republic of Indonesia. As fate would have it, we met again and continued our past aspirations," said Habibie's friend from college in Germany, Wardiman Djojonegoro in the book Sepanjang Jalan Kenangan: Bekerja dengan Tiga Tokoh Besar Bangsa (2016).
Habibie's passion did not end when he no longer served as Indonesia's number one. He remains connected with developments in the Indonesian technology world as a mentor to subsequent presidents.
It was Habibie's behavior that attracted UI. UI also awarded Habibie an honorary doctorate (Honoris Causa) in philosophy and technology on January 30, 2010. The title was ceremonially handed over by UI Chancellor, Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri at the UI Depok Campus.
"Reading Habibie's developmental milestones through Habermas's (philosopher's) perspective is very appropriate for trying to place Habibie's reflections in controversy when it comes to his work as a scientist, bureaucrat, and politician. Habibie was not only a 'master technologist' but a social 'philosopher' who specifically reflected carefully on the experience of technology in Germany being applied in the Indonesian context."
"For this reason, Habbie began to revive the 'idealism of nationalism' which does not forget the nation's philosophy and ethics that takes inspiration from religion which is really important in the pattern of development of the Indonesian state and nation," UI wrote in its considerations as quoted by A. Makmur Makka in the book B.J. Habibie: The Power of Ideas (2018).