The story of William Soeryadjaya is not merely the journey of an entrepreneur who built a large company. Behind the growth of Astra lies the courage to recognize opportunity, the perseverance to face failure, a commitment to the nation, and a deep surrender to God. These are the values brought into the academic space of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta for the younger generation to revisit.

This reflection on William Soeryadjaya's life journey emerged during the National Seminar and Book Discussion of Semangat Hidup dan Pasrah kepada Tuhan: Memoar William Soeryadjaya (The Spirit of Life and Surrender to God: The Memoir of William Soeryadjaya). Organized by UIN Sunan Kalijaga in collaboration with the Mubarok Institute and PT Saratoga Investama Sedaya Tbk., the event was held at the first-floor Convention Hall of UIN Sunan Kalijaga on Tuesday (9/8/2026).

The forum brought together academia, the business world, and government to discuss values that extend beyond economic success. William Soeryadjaya's memoir served as an entry point for discussing integrity, resilience, nationalism, and social responsibility in building a business.

In his remarks, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Rector, Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, said that discussions on business and entrepreneurship have long been anticipated as part of the university's scholarly development.

“This is not an incidental moment. We have long envisioned discussions that go beyond religious, social, and humanities issues to also include business, as a field of concern to many people,” he said.

The Rector affirmed that UIN Sunan Kalijaga has a strong foundation in religious studies, social sciences, humanities, and law. Building on that foundation, the university continues to expand its contribution in science, technology, medicine, and health sciences in line with society's needs.

This progress, he added, is supported by the university's growing research and innovation output. The various forms of intellectual property and patents produced by the academic community open opportunities for downstream application through closer partnerships with the business and industrial sectors.

“We hope that efforts to build partnerships with the business world can become one of the important pillars in the university's future development,” he said.

On this occasion, Prof. Noorhaidi also invited participants to view William Soeryadjaya as a figure shaped by a long process. Losing both of his parents at a young age did not stop him from persevering, working, and building his business step by step until he founded PT Astra International.

That journey was not without obstacles. William Soeryadjaya's resilience, the Rector said, remains relevant for students and the younger generation as they prepare for the future.

“What we can learn from him is how he started from scratch, struggled through hard work, fell, and then rose again until he succeeded in building a business institution the nation can be proud of,” he said.

William Soeryadjaya's legacy also lives on through those who have learned from his experience and thinking. Prof. Noorhaidi noted that a number of entrepreneurs, professionals, and national figures, including Jusuf Kalla, Sandiaga Uno, and Sri Mulyani, have cited “Om William” as one source of inspiration and learning.

Prof. Noorhaidi expressed hope that this story would inspire students, learners, and researchers to take part in realizing a just, prosperous, and thriving Indonesia on the path toward Golden Indonesia 2045.

Meanwhile, CEO of the Mubarok Institute, Fadhil as Mubarok, delivering the keynote speech, invited students to interpret the command to "read" in Surah Al-'Alaq in a broader sense, drawing on William Soeryadjaya's journey. Reading, he said, does not stop at text; it also encompasses the ability to recognize circumstances, identify opportunities, and translate ideas into real work.

Fadhil also emphasized that higher education should not merely prepare students to become job seekers. Universities also need to nurture students' courage to start businesses, build networks, and offer solutions to society's problems.

“Students should not only become employees but can also become entrepreneurs capable of recognizing opportunities and realizing what they design and conceive. At the same time, surrender to God must be maintained by treating business activity as a form of worship,” he said.

Within this framework, UIN Sunan Kalijaga is seen as holding a strategic position as a forge shaping both intellectual and spiritual intelligence. Both, he said, are essential provisions for students to move forward boldly without losing sight of values, ethics, and the awareness that success carries responsibility toward others.

Fadhil also reminded students of the importance of environment in shaping one's way of thinking. The ability to position oneself, choose one's community, build productive conversations, and set goals all influence the direction of a person's growth.

“Who you are, where you are, who you surround yourself with, what you talk about, and what goals you set for yourself, all of that shapes your mindset,” he said.

Before hundreds of students, he also cautioned the younger generation against becoming a generation that merely enjoys the fruits of development. The nation's aspirations, he said, must be realized through productivity, integrity, and a genuine willingness to create benefit for society.

The session continued with a Book Discussion featuring the President Commissioner of PT Saratoga Investama Sedaya Tbk. and William Soeryadjaya's second son, Edwin Soeryadjaya. His presence offered a personal perspective on the values his father passed down, both within the family and throughout his journey of building a business.

The forum was also attended by UIN Sunan Kalijaga Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Cooperation, Prof. Abdur Rozaki; Head of the Yogyakarta Center for Social Welfare Education and Training, Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Haruman Hendarsa; Professor of Islamic Legal Philosophy at UIN Sunan Kalijaga and Deputy Chair of the Fatwa Commission at the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Central Board, Prof. Shofiyullah; Head of the Surakarta Vocational Training and Productivity Center, Veri Fahruddin; and Caretaker of the Kaliopak Cultural Islamic Boarding School, Jadul Maula.

For UIN Sunan Kalijaga, this seminar and book discussion form part of a broader effort to expand students' learning opportunities while strengthening partnerships with the business world. Through William Soeryadjaya's journey, students were invited to see business as a path to creating jobs, developing human capital, strengthening the nation, and transforming knowledge into benefit, all while remaining grounded in integrity and faith in God. (humassk)