The Faculty of Philosophy of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) welcomed a visit from SMAN 17 Palembang on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, held at the Persatuan Room, 3rd Floor. The activity, which began at 9:00 a.m., continued until midday and was attended by 82 students accompanied by 8 teachers. The visit formed part of the school’s study program aimed at introducing higher education to final-year students as they prepare for their future academic paths.
In its welcoming remarks, the faculty expressed appreciation for the enthusiasm shown by the delegation from SMAN 17 Palembang. According to the faculty representative, such visits provide an important opportunity to broaden young people’s understanding of philosophy as a discipline that plays a strategic role in cultivating critical and ethical modes of thinking.
The main session featured Dr. Heri Santoso as the speaker. Through an engaging and accessible presentation, he explained the academic character of philosophy, its relevance to everyday life, and its contributions to the development of modern knowledge. Dr. Heri emphasized that philosophy is not merely an abstract theoretical field, but a discipline that sharpens intellectual sensitivity, reasoning skills, and reflective depth. He added that these capacities are highly valuable across various fields, including education, technology, and leadership.
The students showed great enthusiasm during the question-and-answer session, raising a wide range of questions—from the prospects of studying philosophy and academic activities on campus to learning experiences within the Faculty of Philosophy UGM. The accompanying teachers also expressed their appreciation for the warm reception and for the opportunity given to students to receive direct insights from an academic.
The visit concluded with a group photo session and the presentation of a token of appreciation from SMAN 17 Palembang to the Faculty of Philosophy UGM. Through this activity, the Faculty of Philosophy hopes that more students will gain a clearer understanding of philosophical education and consider it as a potential field of study at the higher education level.