UMKT Hosts Human Rights Program: Empowering Students to Combat Cyberbullying

umkt.ac.id, Samarinda - On Wednesday, April 1, Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur (UMKT) hosted a "Public Human Rights Capacity Building" session in collaboration with the East Kalimantan Regional Office of the Ministry of Human Rights. Held at the Building E Auditorium, the event focused heavily on digital ethics.

The session was attended by key officials, such as the Head of the East KalimaRegional Office and the Head of Human Rights Instruments and Community Empowerment, alongside the Dean, Vice-Deans, and faculty members of the UMKT Faculty of Law. Enthusiastic law students also attended the session as participants.

Muhammad Nurcholis Alhadi, Vice Dean of Academic, Student, Al Islam and Muhammadiyah Studies, and Cooperation Affairs at the Faculty of Law, expressed his gratitude for the university's selection as a program partner. Alhadi voiced his hope for a continuous and comprehensive partnership moving forward.

"We extend our sincere thanks for involving UMKT in this capacity-building effort. We look forward to deepening our collaboration in the future," he stated.

Alhadi added that the program serves as a vital learning platform for law students to understand the practical application of human rights, particularly in navigating the challenges of the digital era.

Dr. Umi Laili, Head of the Ministry of Human Rights East Kalimantan Regional Office, outlined the Ministry's mission to promote human rights across Indonesia. She emphasized that upholding these rights is a collective responsibility.

"Upholding human rights is not the government's responsibility alone. Every sector must contribute, including higher education institutions. This collective effort is essential to building a society where human rights are truly respected," Dr. Laili remarked. She added that the university environment is a strategic platform to cultivate this awareness. "Students are called upon not only to understand these concepts theoretically but to actively live them out in their daily lives."

Ikhwanul Muslimin, a UMKT law lecturer, delivered a presentation titled "Protecting Human Rights in the Digital Space: The Role of Students in Preventing Cyberbullying." He discussed how rapid technological advancements have created new vulnerabilities, such as online harassment.

Ikhwanul highlighted that students hold a vital position as agents of change in promoting a healthy and ethical digital environment.

"Students must stand at the forefront of cyberbullying prevention—by educating others, intervening where necessary, and reporting violations when they occur," Ikhwanul emphasized.

He stressed that empathy and digital literacy are the cornerstones of online interaction, ensuring human rights are protected across all digital platforms.

Ultimately, the program aimed to elevate students' awareness of human rights, empowering them to apply these values in all aspects of life and use digital media with greater wisdom and responsibility.

Author: Raisha Azzahro.

Translator: M. Rafly Raihandy