When Dr. H. Saan Mustopa, M.Si. stepped into the Gymnasium Hall of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia in October 2025, his return to alma mater was more than ceremonial—it was a homecoming to the roots of his transformation. Standing before thousands of graduates, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shared a deeply personal reflection on perseverance, identity, and the lifelong value of education.
For the alumnus from Karawang, the story began humbly. In his youth, he studied beneath the dim light of a lampu cempor (a kerosene lamp) because his village had no access to electricity. “From elementary through high school, I studied using that lamp,” he recalled. “When I was accepted through the PMDK pathway in 1988 to study Physics at IKIP Bandung, my dream was simple: to become a physics teacher.”
But destiny had broader plans. His years at IKIP Bandung (now Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia) became the crucible where his worldview, leadership, and moral compass were forged.
Formed by Community and Critical Thinking
Life as a student in those days was marked by modest means but rich intellectual and social experience. Saan remembered nights spent sleeping in the student union office, morning showers at Masjid Al-Furqon, and endless discussions about social issues that lasted until dawn. “If I had to choose between attending class or joining an intercampus activist forum,” he said with a smile, “I would choose the discussion, it was where I learned to understand reality, to struggle, and to become a person sensitive to public issues.”
Through these formative experiences, he developed not only academic intelligence but also a profound social awareness. His involvement in student organizations, from Chair of the Physics Student Association to Secretary General of the Student Senate, cultivated the confidence to think critically and act decisively.
“This campus changed my life,” he reflected. “I was once a shy village boy, but IKIP Bandung made me brave enough to think independently and speak truth to power.”
Leadership Rooted in Integrity
Today, as the Third Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives for Industry and Development, Dr. Saan Mustopa continues to carry the values that were born in the classrooms and discussion halls of UPI. His professional journey mirrors the resilience and integrity that UPI’s educational philosophy fosters—leadership grounded in conscience, not ambition.
He often recalls that his political path was not premeditated but rather an extension of his lifelong belief that education must lead to social contribution. To him, campus life was never isolated from society; it was a “laboratory of life” that trained him to face the complexity of the real world.
A Legacy of Responsibility and Hope
Before concluding his speech to the graduating class, Dr. Saan left them with a message that resonated deeply: being a UPI alumnus is both an honor and a moral duty.
“We can never detach ourselves from our identity as part of the UPI family,” he urged. “To preserve our integrity is to uphold the good name of our university. UPI shaped me into a person of courage and principle, and that is something I carry wherever I go.”
His story, illuminated by determination and humility, remains a testament to how education can transform personal struggle into public service. From the dim glow of a lampu cempor in Karawang to the bright lights of Indonesia’s parliamentary chamber, Dr. Saan Mustopa’s journey stands as an enduring inspiration, a reflection of UPI’s vision to nurture graduates who not only excel academically but also serve with heart and purpose. (VS)