Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR) – “Be like an iPhone—keep upgrading yourself.” That was the message delivered by Deputy Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) Dzulfikar Ahmad Tawalla, S.Pd., M.I.Kom., during his session as part of the 2026 PPKKMB and Masta programs at UMPWR on Monday (14/9/2026).
Speaking to UMPWR’s new students, Dzulfikar encouraged them to see change as something inevitable. Technology continues to develop, human needs evolve, and so do the ways people work and communicate.
He illustrated this with a simple example: the changing price of the iPhone. A product that once had a high value can see its value decline over several years, not necessarily because the product has become worse, but because times change and new technologies emerge.
Through this example, Dzulfikar encouraged students not to rely solely on the abilities they have today.
“It’s not because we are not smart. It’s because we stop learning,” was one of the key messages he emphasized during his presentation.
According to Dzulfikar, the ability to learn new things should become a lifelong habit. Students need to continuously update their knowledge, insights, experiences, and skills. Once a person stops learning, he said, they begin to fall behind.
Equally important, students need to develop technology and AI literacy. He emphasized that students do not have to become technology experts, but they do need to understand how technology is changing work and everyday life.
“Don’t compete with technology. Learn to work with technology,” he said.
Technology, he added, should be seen as a tool that can expand human capabilities, change the way people work and live, and create greater efficiency as well as new opportunities.
Amid the constant flow of information, Dzulfikar also reminded students not to believe everything too easily or simply follow the crowd. Easy access to information must be balanced with the ability to check, understand, and critically consider what they encounter.
The more information people receive, he explained, the more important critical thinking becomes. This is an essential skill for students as they form opinions and make decisions in the midst of rapid change.
Alongside knowledge and technology, students were also encouraged to remain strong in character and human skills. Advances in technology and the growing amount of information should not cause people to lose the values that make them human.
In his presentation, Dzulfikar highlighted several important qualities, including integrity, empathy, leadership, creativity, communication, and the ability to build trust.
He also encouraged students to think globally without losing their sense of identity. Students should be ready to compete on the global stage, but at the same time, they need to know their roots and maintain their identity.
Toward the end of his presentation, Dzulfikar brought students to a bigger question. According to him, the process of upgrading oneself should not be solely for personal benefit.
Students need to learn, become competent, build strong character, have the courage to lead, and ultimately make a positive impact.
For that reason, he encouraged students to change the way they look at their future. Instead of asking only, “What will I become?”, they should also ask, “What will I contribute?”
The message serves as an important starting point for UMPWR’s new students as they begin their journey in higher education. University life is not simply about earning a degree, but also an opportunity to continuously develop oneself, expand one’s abilities, build character, and prepare to make a real contribution.
“Upgrade yourself. Expand your impact. Leave something meaningful behind,” was Dzulfikar’s closing message to UMPWR students.
Through PPKKMB and Masta 2026, UMPWR continues to encourage its new students to become not only academically excellent, but also adaptable in facing change, capable of working alongside technology, strong in character, and ready to contribute to society.
