The Sumatra Floods and Our Failure to Anticipate

 

Tangerang, 30 November 2025 - Major flooding hit Sumatra last week, affecting thousands of residents who were forced to evacuate as extreme rainfall and environmental damage became the main triggers, while the government and volunteers carried out emergency response efforts to control the worsening situation.

In my opinion, flooding in Sumatra is not just a matter of extreme weather. It is a reflection of problems that we have long ignored: poor environmental management, uncontrolled land use change, and drainage systems that have never been properly repaired. Every year, the pattern is the same: heavy rains come, rivers overflow, and residents once again become victims.

Local governments should prioritize mitigation programs, not just post-disaster response. River cleaning, riverbank management, and public education on environmental management should be routine activities, not seasonal activities after flooding occurs. Without this commitment, Sumatra and Indonesia as a whole will continue to be caught in a cycle of exhausting disasters.

On the other hand, the public also needs to be more aware that environmental damage is not solely the fault of the government. Habits such as littering, cutting down trees without permission, or clearing land without considering the impact also contribute to the problem. Flooding is not just a natural phenomenon; it is the accumulation of the choices we make together.

This year's flooding in Sumatra should serve as a stark reminder that mitigation is not optional, but mandatory. If the government and the community do not work together, then the same disasters will continue to recur, with losses increasing year after year.

The Excitement of MyRepublic's Event at Taman Literasi Blok M

The evening sky at Taman Literasi Blok M turned warmer on November 22, 2025, when thousands of visitors gathered to watch the MyRepublic event featuring two musicians, Wijaya 80 and Raisa, on one stage that combined nostalgia and the warmth of the present.

This year's MyRepublic event was one of the largest community celebrations held in a public space in South Jakarta. With a park-like atmosphere surrounded by trees and artistic buildings typical of Taman Literasi, the event presented a combination of entertainment, digital education, and community interaction. 

Visitors began to crowd the event area in the afternoon. MyRepublic's digital creativity-themed booths added to the excitement, ranging from interactive photo zones to mini talk shows. The audience cheered loudly when Wijaya 80, a singer who is rising to fame with his jazz pop or modern music style, opened the stage with songs that combined elements of the 80s and modern pop. His unique musicality successfully brought the audience nostalgia while enjoying a new atmosphere. Many visitors sang along, and some even recorded his performance to share on social media.

And at night, the atmosphere became even warmer when Raisa appeared on stage. With her soft voice and strong charisma, she performed several of her hit songs, transforming the Taman Literasi area into an intimate concert venue in the middle of the city. Raisa's presence was the main attraction of the night, especially for her fans who had been queuing since noon.

In addition to the music concert, the event also aimed to strengthen the digital literacy campaign and creative public spaces. Several mini talks and community interactions emphasized the importance of using the internet for productive purposes, especially for young people.

The MyRepublic 2025 event at Taman Literasi Blok M left a warm impression on visitors: a blend of art, community, public space, and stunning performances by Wijaya 80 and Raisa. That evening proved that a big city like Jakarta can still provide a creative space that unites generations through music and shared experiences.

Group 1 of the UMT PBI Evening Class Presented a New Understanding of News Writing

 

Tangerang, 22 November 2025 - The presentation on Structure, Element, and Style in News Writing was delivered by Group 1 on November 17, 2025, in the English study program classroom as part of the news, feature, and editorial writing course assignment, with the material presented through visual presentations and systematic explanations.

Group 1 delivered a presentation titled The Art of News Writing: Structure, Element, and Style on November 17, 2025, which comprehensively discussed the news writing process, from gathering information to packaging facts that are accurate, objective, and easy to understand. In their presentation, the group explained that news writing is not just about conveying information, but also organizing facts based on context, urgency, and relevance so that they are easily understood by the public. They also highlighted news values as the main foundation for presenting accurate and reliable information.

In the section on news structure, this group presented four main components, namely the headline, lead, body, and closing. They provided concrete examples and 5W+1H analysis to show how news is structured systematically. This presentation was reinforced with a case study on the fuel shortage at several Shell gas stations in Indonesia as an example of the implementation of news writing techniques.

In addition, they explained the characteristics of journalistic language, namely objectivity, conciseness, and clarity. These three characteristics are considered important so that news is unbiased, concise, and easily understood by people from various backgrounds.

The presentation concluded with an emphasis that the use of the 5W+1H principle, proper news structure, and good journalistic language will help journalists produce informative, accurate, and reliable work.

Challenges of Student Theses in the Digital Age

 

Tangerang, 21 November 2025 - The final thesis assignment is considered the most challenging academic task for final-year students. Students from various universities in Indonesia, both public and private, face this challenge during their final semester of study. This is because the thesis is considered a key requirement for graduation and proof of students' scientific abilities. Students must conduct independent scientific research under the guidance of a lecturer, collect data, and write an academic paper in accordance with scientific standards.

For some students, a thesis is not just a final assignment, but also a long process that requires discipline, consistency, and critical thinking skills. Challenges such as difficulty in finding a topic, limited references, and mental pressure often become obstacles. In addition, the quality of guidance, research facilities, and student readiness also affect how quickly or slowly a thesis is completed.

In today's digital age, students have many advantages, such as broad access to information, online literature sources, and technology that facilitates data processing. However, these conveniences do not necessarily make the thesis process any easier. In my opinion, students are required to be more careful in sorting sources, avoiding plagiarism, and improving their analytical skills so that their scientific work remains valid and of high quality.

Some students believe that thesis assignments need to be reviewed to determine whether they are still relevant as a graduation requirement. In my opinion, this discussion is reasonable considering that not all fields of work require scientific research skills. Even so, academics still consider theses to be an important process for training students' critical thinking and independence.

Thesis writing remains a challenge and part of the higher education system that is still maintained today. In my opinion, although the process is not easy, thesis writing has important educational value, especially in shaping character, discipline, and scientific thinking skills.