The Director General of Hindu Community Guidance at the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, I Nengah Duija, delivered directives to all Regional Offices of the Ministry of Religious Affairs across Bali during the online “Ngopi 1” (Ngobrol Pendidikan Hindu / Hindu Education Dialogue) forum held on Thursday. During the meeting, the Director General emphasized the importance of leaving a meaningful legacy for future generations through the strengthening of Widyalaya educational institutions.
In his remarks, Prof. Duija reminded regional Ministry officials not to become trapped in routine administrative duties, but instead to focus on the long-term future of the Hindu community.
“We should not merely think about holding office today while leaving no legacy for the fundamental needs of our future generations. I believe this is our responsibility, ladies and gentlemen, who have been entrusted by God with this mandate,” he stated.
As a concrete follow-up to this message, the Director General encouraged every Head of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Office in Bali to establish at least one Widyalaya Binaan (fostered Widyalaya) within their respective regions. These institutions are expected to become flagship educational centers managed professionally and serve as a source of pride for local communities.
In addition to institutional strengthening, digitalization was highlighted as a central pillar in the transformation of Hindu education. Prof. Duija emphasized that technological mastery is no longer optional, but an essential requirement in data management and the teaching-learning process.
As part of this transformation, the Directorate General of Hindu Community Guidance is encouraging the improvement of the Widyalaya Digital Report System (Rapor Digital Widyalaya / RDW) to ensure full synchronization with the central EMIS system, thereby supporting the accuracy of integrated national education data.
In line with this initiative, the central government has also proposed an educational digitalization program to the President, aimed at modernizing classrooms through the use of digital display screens to replace conventional blackboards.
Furthermore, to ensure easier access for graduates during the transition period leading up to 2027, Widyalaya institutions will implement a dual diploma system consisting of both digital and printed diploma formats.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Bali, I Gusti Made Sunartha, welcomed the directive and reported that Bali is currently making significant efforts to establish its first state-run Widyalaya as a national pilot project. With policy support from the central government regarding teacher professional allowances (TPG) and educational infrastructure, Widyalaya institutions in Bali are expected to produce outstanding human resources who are both intellectually capable and morally grounded.
“Ngopi” forum is expected to continue as a platform for intensive communication, enabling the Ministry to absorb grassroots aspirations while ensuring that strategic programs of the Ministry of Religious Affairs are effectively implemented throughout Bali.
Editor : I Made Juni Saputra
Photographer : I Gusti Ngurah Sathya Dharma
Contributed and Translated by Muhammad Mahmud Alhushori
