The Keys to Nation's Economic Stability, in the Hands of Students: Through

the Tri Dharma Implementation of Higher Education, Become an Agent of

Change, and Have a KI-DO Attitude (Creative & Innovative - Digitalization
& Automation)

By: Muhammad Elmas Fadlli

"Bahwa sesungguhnya kemerdekaan itu ialah hak segala bangsa dan oleh
sebab itu, maka penjajahan diatas dunia harus dihapuskan karena tidak sesuai
dengan perikemanusiaan dan perikeadilan". The sentence contained in the Preamble
of the 1945 Constitution explains that every nation and also the elements contained
therein have the right to be free from all forms of colonialism, including colonialism
in economic matters.
Revolution is a change of social and cultural style and the habits of the general
public which are related to the basic or main points of public life briefly. Industry
is an economic activity that manages raw materials, raw materials, into quality
goods. Industrial Revolution 4.0 is a fundamental change in the social style of
society in brief related to the industrial economy sector.
Advances in new technologies that integrate the physical, digital and
biological worlds have affected all disciplines, economics, industry and
government. The description above illustrates that the industrial revolution 4.0 will
penetrate into all economic sectors. The concept of digitalization of the dominant
economy uses sophisticated technology in its economic activities, ultimately human
labor which incidentally as labor absorbers becomes ruled out and developing
countries unable to compete with their economies will deteriorate due to high
unemployment.
But the situation of the industrial revolution 4.0 is inevitable. The current
situation requires students to play an active role in maintaining economic stability,
especially the lower middle class.
The Industrial Revolution 4.0 not only provides opportunities, but also
challenges for millennial generation. Because, in this situation there are many
opportunities of sophisticated technology that can facilitate access in all sectors of
life. But in fact, at this time the role of humans from the stages gradually began to
be replaced by automatic machines. According to Prof. Dwikorita Karnawati
(2017), "The industrial revolution 4.0 in the next five years will erase 35 percent of
jobs. And even in the next 10 years the type of work that will be lost will increase
to 75 percent. "
The birth of the shift in the human workforce towards digitization is a form
of challenge that students need to respond to. How students are able to maintain the
stability of the Indonesian economy, especially the middle class and below, has the
potential to not compensate for the characteristics of the Economy in the Industrial
Revolution 4.0 era. There are always two sides to every new initiative.
This is where the role of students is not only as a connoisseur of easy access
in this modern era but, how do students respond to an industrial revolution. Students
can benefit from the digitalization of the economy today, but only if we prepare
well enough. To anticipate the industrial revolution 4.0, it is important to:
a. Increasing the competitiveness of human resources, we no longer compete
with fellow Indonesians but also compete with other foreign talents. It is our
responsibility as the next generation of Indonesia to equip ourselves with
competitive talent through competitive education programs.
b. Maintaining entrepreneurship in Indonesia, this was proven during the crisis
that occurred a few years ago. The Indonesian business sector which is filled
with productive activities can maintain economic stability. On top of that, it
will also open up job opportunities for local talent.
c. Encouraging reform in the bureaucracy, This is very important because it will
ultimately improve social & economic improvement. This is also the
movement needed to create a solid foundation of economic stability facing
free trade and AEC.

Students in their work become important instruments in practicing the Tri

Dharma of Higher Education, namely as educators and instructors, research and
development and community service. As instructors and educators, students are
tutut able to play a role in preparing the quality of Indonesian Human Resources by
providing education and assistance to the community to be able to compete in
creativity and economic independence by conducting student activities that
empower middle and lower economic communities.
 As an Agent of Change, a student is required to play an active role in
community service, by directly decreasing the field and changing the consumptive
mindset to be productive in economic activities.
In the end, now the community needs the role of students in order to maintain
the stability of the middle to lower economy in this "all-machine" era. Students
must return to their true identity who are able to become Agents of Change, Agents
Of Analysts and Agents Of Cantrol so that the maximum in achieving the
aspirations of the nation is to advance public welfare, educate the nation's life and
free the Indonesian people from all things in life.
The Menristekdikti also encourages all students to build a high level of trust
and a spirit of competition to compete not only at the national level but also at the
global level. In addition to academic degrees, there are four things students must
have to fight in the era of the industrial revolution 4.0, namely creative and
innovative, as well as digitalization and automation.