The morning air in Purwakarta felt warmer than usual. Bale Sawala Yudhistira and Mayadatar were filled with hundreds of high school students in white grey uniforms who came from different schools across the region. Their curiosity was visible. Some sat neatly taking notes, while others exchanged stories about their dreams of studying at university and earning scholarships. Among the conversations, one name was mentioned again and again. It was Zayn Ali, the young writer known for his book titled Salah Vonis and also the Chair of the EFA Foundation or Education For All Foundation.
The Future Festival two thousand twenty five was organized by the Institute of Democracy and Education Indonesia or IDE Indonesia together with several institutions and stakeholders. The festival featured many speakers. Even so, from the beginning, the atmosphere suggested that the session led by Zayn Ali was the one many students had been waiting for.
When Zayn walked onto the stage, the room slowly became quiet. He did not open with statistics or technical explanations about scholarships. Instead, he began with a sentence that gently surprised the audience. He said that education is not about chasing degrees because it is actually a journey of healing. His words made several students pause as if reminded that education is not only about scores and achievements.
Throughout his presentation, Zayn invited the students to look inside themselves. He spoke about life stories, past wounds, failure, and the courage that young people often forget they have. He said that sometimes our strength comes from the heaviest experiences we have lived through. With a calm voice he explained why personal stories matter in scholarship selection. According to him, a persons character can be seen more honestly through their life story than through a long list of awards.
During the session, Zayn quoted the thought of the well known education expert Munif Chatib. He said that Munif Chatib once reminded teachers that;
“every child is a star and each will shine when the time comes through the skill that they love the most. Many students nodded slowly, as if they had just received an affirmation that their moment to shine would also arrive in the future”
The session created a strong emotional impact for the participants. Muhib, one of the students, was seen bowing his head several times while writing very quickly in his notebook. After the session he said, Zayn opened a new door in my mind. I just realized that my own life story can be my strength and not something I need to hide.
Rini, another participant, still held her bag tightly when interviewed. She said, Zayns explanation made me dare to dream again. It felt like someone finally told me that everyone can succeed as long as they keep moving.
Zayn also reminded the audience that education does not stop with oneself. He emphasized that success becomes meaningful only when it brings benefit to society. He said that we learn in order to share goodness, not to walk alone. He closed his session with a message that made many participants silent for a long time. He said that education is a tool to break the roots of injustice and that everyone has a role in this mission.
Outside the talkshow room, the Future Festival continued with many activities. There were campus exhibitions, quiz competitions, art performances, and student networking sessions.
The event was opened with remarks from Gugun Gumilar who is the Founder of IDE Indonesia. This was followed by greetings from the Regent of Purwakarta Saepul Bahri Binzein and a keynote speech from Dr H Hanif Hanafi, who is the Head of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Office in Purwakarta.
Among all the activities, the story of Zayns session became the topic that lasted the longest. Some students talked about it while waiting for the quiz to begin. Others discussed it in small groups in the corners of the venue. Some walked home while thinking again about the words of Munif Chatib that Zayn had quoted about stars that wait for the right time to shine.
When the event ended, the students left with steps that felt different from when they arrived. Some felt more optimistic. Some felt more confident. Others finally realized that their personal story is something valuable and worth fighting for.
And perhaps without knowing it, the words of Zayn Ali continued to echo in their minds. The future belongs not to those who are perfect but to those who dare to shine through the skills they truly love.
Writer: Sopian Lubis
Image Special Courtesy
