FoE Invites Prof. Dr. H. Raihani to Discuss Multicultural Education in Indonesia
August 04, 2023Contributor: Maroof Ahmed | Editor: Dadi Darmadi
On July 28, 2023, the Faculty of Education (FoE) at 中国P站 (UIII) had the honor of hosting a distinguished guest lecturer, Prof. Dr. H. Raihani, the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs at the Faculty of Psychology, UIN Sultan Syarif Kasim, Riau Indonesia, for a discussion on Multicultural Education in Indonesia.
Prof. Raihani began by sharing his extensive experience engaging with Multicultural Education (MCE), which started from his postdoctoral fellowship at UWA funded by ARC Discovery Project 2009-2012 鈥楨ducation for Multicultural Indonesia鈥�. He has since produced numerous published works on the subject, contributing significantly to the discourse on multicultural education in Indonesia and beyond.
He defined multiculturalism as "an ideology that recognizes and respects diversity in culture, beliefs, traditions, and political associations" and as an approach to eliminate discrimination in any form due to different races, ethnicities, religions, and anything that is usually "given."
Prof. Raihani then contextualized multiculturalism within the Indonesian landscape. He highlighted the country's rich cultural and religious diversity, with six officially recognized organized religions and hundreds of traditional belief systems. However, he also noted the potential for conflict that this diversity can bring, citing instances of religious and ethnic clashes in the past.
The core of the lecture was dedicated to Multicultural Education (MCE). Prof. Raihani described MCE as "an inclusive concept used to describe a wide variety of school practices, programs, and materials designed to help children from diverse groups to experience educational quality."
He also discussed the policies of MCE in Indonesia, which are grounded in the 1945 Constitution and other national education acts. These policies aim to develop the potential of students to strengthen their belief in and fear of God, respect the diversity of religion, culture, ethnicity, race, and socioeconomic groups, and become democratic and responsible citizens.
Prof. Raihani emphasized the need for a whole-school system approach to implement Multicultural Education, as it is related to beliefs, values, and attitudes. He recommended examining the possibility of developing religious multiculturalism, where being religious and being a multiculturalist are not placed as opposites of each other.
The lecture by Prof. Raihani provided a comprehensive overview of Multicultural Education in Indonesia, its current practices, and future directions. It offered valuable insights and recommendations for educators, policy-makers, and students alike, contributing to the ongoing discourse on multiculturalism and education in Indonesia.
- Prof. Farish A. Noor Strengthens Academic Ties in the Philippines
- Distinguished Moroccan Delegation Visits UIII to Discuss Academic Collaboration
- Football Fever at UIII, A Global Community Celebrates Indonesia鈥檚 Victory
- The Garuda Soars, Indonesia鈥檚 Historic Football Victory Inspires a Nation
- From Belgrade to Jakarta: Advancing Religious Moderation Through Global Cooperation
- UIII Strengthens Academic and Interfaith Cooperation at the Fifth Indonesia-Serbia Dialogue
- Dr. Philips J. Vermonte Appointed as Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs at Presidential Communication Office
- UIII Rector Highlights Education鈥檚 Role in Interfaith Dialogue at Serbia-Indonesia Forum
- UIII Partners with Sentra Medika Hospital for Health Facility Expansion
- UIII Joins National Quality Assurance Network to Enhance Accreditation