MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, MEDAN – Since its establishment, Muhammadiyah has never been swept along by the tides of change. Instead, Muhammadiyah has consistently positioned itself as a pioneer, introducing various innovations across different fields.
This was conveyed by Dadang Kahmad, Chairman of Muhammadiyah Central Board, during the Training on Deep Learning, Coding, and Artificial Intelligence, held on Wednesday (1/10) at Polonia Hotel, Medan.
According to Dadang, Muhammadiyah’s pioneering spirit must continue through ongoing innovation. In the field of education, for example, Muhammadiyah was among the first Islamic organizations to establish modern Islamic schools that integrate general and religious subjects.
Similarly, in the healthcare sector, Muhammadiyah made history as one of the earliest local organizations to establish hospitals, even before the Indonesian government had its own public healthcare services.
For this reason, Dadang expressed hope that the training would reaffirm Muhammadiyah’s pioneering role, particularly in educational innovation, which can then be applied in other schools beyond the Muhammadiyah network.
In response to the rapid development of information technology, Dadang urged Muhammadiyah teachers not only to be prepared to face these changes, but also to be more advanced and to stay ahead of the curve.
“Today, I am not merely opening a training session, I am opening the gateway to the future of Muhammadiyah education that is deeper, smarter, and stronger in character,” he stated.
Dadang explained that this training focuses on three pillars: deep learning, coding and artificial intelligence, and character building.
To him, deep learning is not merely applicable in technological sense, but also in pedagogical approaches that cultivate reasoning, creativity, and essential understanding.
Moreover, the coding and artificial intelligence pillar is a reflection of readiness to face industry 4.0 and 5.0, requiring Muhammadiyah teachers to go beyond teaching and become guides toward an ethical and civilized digital future.
Lastly, the character building pillar serves as the foundational pillar to ensure that future generations grow with noble character, integrity, and a spirit of service. “Technology without character is a double-edged sword,” Dadang emphasized. (Bintang Adrian)
