Bandung, September 6, 2025 — The Directorate of General Preparation (DITSAMA) at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) marked an important milestone in the academic journey of the 2025/2026 freshmen cohort through the Opening Ceremony of the Freshmen Character Development Program (Pembinaan Karakter Mahasiswa TPB ITB 2025). This program is designed not only to cultivate intellectual excellence but also to foster moral integrity, social responsibility, and emotional resilience among students.

In her opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Fatimah Arofiati Noor, S.Si., M.Si., Director of DITSAMA, emphasized the fundamental role of character in both academic and societal life. “Knowledge will guide your steps, but it is character that ensures your direction. With both, you will not only pursue success but also find meaning,” she conveyed to hundreds of freshmen, mentors, faculty members, and invited guests attending in person and virtually.

The event was officially inaugurated by Prof. Ir. Agus Jatnika Effendi, Ph.D., Vice Rector for Finance, Planning, and Development, and was also attended by representatives from the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of West Java Province, who delivered a message underscoring the importance of harmonizing knowledge, values, and real contributions to society in shaping impactful future generations.

Beyond ceremonial speeches, the program featured two distinguished speakers — Prof. Dr. M. Salman AN, S.Si., M.Si. and Dr. Prasanti Widyasih Sarli, S.T., M.T., Ph.D. — who inspired students to reflect on the meaning of integrity, responsibility, and empathy in campus life. The session was engaging and participatory, strengthening emotional bonds between freshmen and the university environment.

As the program organizer, DITSAMA positions this initiative not as a mere annual routine but as a carefully curated growth platform. Character development is embedded within ITB’s transformative learning strategy, aligned with the institution’s values of integrity, collaboration, diversity, and social responsibility. Through close collaboration between faculty mentors, curriculum developers, and student mentors, DITSAMA seeks to create a supportive environment for holistic student development.

Freshmen were encouraged to view their ITB journey as a process of growth rather than merely a series of achievements. In challenges, they are invited to discover strength. In community, they are called to support one another. And in every step of the process, they are reminded that character is the light that will guide their future endeavors.

With the launch of this program, DITSAMA reaffirms its role as the first home for ITB freshmen — a place where values are nurtured, potential is cultivated, and the foundations for a meaningful future are laid. This initiative stands as a concrete manifestation of ITB’s contribution to the nation: shaping scholars of impact, starting from their very first steps on campus.