Ecological crisis and campus role highlighted as Hoerudin Amin calls for student spatial awareness at IAIPI Bandung Student Center inauguration.

RADARBANDUNG.ID, KAB. — The Islamic Institute (IAI) of Persatuan Islam inaugurated the Student Center as a space for student departmental activities, alongside the inauguration of the IKA IAI Secretariat, on Saturday (5/16/2026).

The inauguration event was combined with a Public Discussion themed “From the Pulpit to the Movement: Ecotheological Preaching and the Climate Crisis.”

The activity, held from 09:00 to 15:00 local time, featured three speakers including Chairman of IKA Bandung M. Hoerudin Amin, S.Ag., MH, Former Minister of Forestry DR MS. Ka’ban, and Sulwan Kosasih.

On that occasion, Muhammad Hoerudin Amin, who is also a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, emphasized the importance of “spatial awareness” as the foundation of human identity in responding to the environmental crisis.

“Spatial awareness is a characteristic of human identity. When humans lose that awareness, their relationship with nature also deteriorates,” said Hoerudin before students, alumni, and academics.

Hoerudin also stressed that the dignity of human life greatly depends on their awareness of the environment. He urged that campuses, especially IAIPI Bandung, begin incorporating ecological studies as an integral part of the curriculum.

“Ecological awareness cannot remain just a discourse. It must become a knowledge structure taught systematically,” he said.

According to him, the current environmental crisis is inseparable from the human perspective that separates themselves from their living space. Therefore, campuses have a strategic role in shaping that awareness from an early stage.

Meanwhile, Dr. MS Ka’ban in the same forum stated that the climate crisis is a global issue concerning the relationship between God, humans, and nature.

“Ecology is the interaction of these three elements. If one is damaged, the entire system will be disrupted,” he said.

Ka’ban also criticized global approaches that he considered too reliant on concepts like carbon trading without concrete action.

“Carbon trading is nonsense without tree-planting movements,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, M. Sulwan Kosasih invited participants to build commitment by placing religion as the primary orientation, while technology serves as a supporting tool.

“Religion is the first side, technology is just a facility for convenience,” he said.

The inauguration of the IAIPI Bandung Student Center is expected to become a hub for student activities that not only develops intellect but also encourages the birth of real movements in responding to environmental issues.

The dynamic discussion highlighted a common thread: the need for transformation from mere discourse to concrete action, with spatial awareness as the main foundation in building the human relationship with nature. (*)