UNAIR NEWS – The Student Executive Board (BEM) Faculty of Vocational Studies of Universitas Airlangga and its 2020 Ambassadors held the Sahabat Literasi 2021 webinar themed “Youth Literacy for Better SDGs and Future of Our Nation” on Saturday, July 3, 2021. 115 participants took part in the webinar intended to raise funds for offline literacy activities in Kalikajang Village, Gebang, Sidoarjo.
The BEM President of Faculty of Vocational Studies, Muhammad Rifqi Athallah, stated that building Indonesian people’s character to enjoy reading or be literate is important. “As Indonesia is in the 62nd position out of 70 according to research,” said Rifqi.
Meanwhile, The Dean of UNAIR’s Faculty of Vocational Studies, Prof. Dr. Anwar Ma’ruf, M. Kes, drh., M.Si. opened the webinar with a short opening remark to the attending participants. He made some statements on literacy, something viral that always goes hand in hand with certain information.
“By sorting and selecting information, we can distinguish the truth and hoax with literacy. By hearing, seeing, and reading, then concluding, that is what we call literacy,” said Prof. Dr. Anwar.
As the first presenter, Anggita Veronica Marthin considers literacy as something really needed in Indonesia and the world. The lack of facilities that support reading, such as library session, is one of the factors for Indonesian people’s lack of interest in reading.
“Not only the lacking of supporting facilities, there is also a problem with our surroundings. It’s rare to see someone reading in the library. Not all can buy books, but there are journals and websites that we can access because almost everything in life now is all digital,” said Anggita
According to Anggita, literacy is in the fourth SDG 4, “Quality Education” and is very important. We can sort and select information because of reading, but literacy or reading has not become a culture in Indonesia.
“It is a challenge for the younger generation to enjoy reading, and an interest in reading has to be shaped from oneself. What we read will present useful and provide knowledge to us all,” concluded Anggita
Author: Moch Rachman Halim
Editor: Feri Fenoria (AC/AP)
