MUHAMMADIYAH. OR. ID, YOGYAKARTA – Universitas ‘Aisyiyah (Unisa) Yogyakarta officially began the construction of TK ABA Semesta, a new early childhood education institution on Tuesday, June 3. The groundbreaking ceremony marked a fresh chapter in early childhood education driven by Unisa and ‘Aisyiyah’s forward-thinking vision.
President of Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir praised the initiative as a bold and visionary step. He emphasized that establishing TK ABA Semesta is highly relevant to the needs of today’s society and shows a strong commitment to preparing for the future.
It takes courage to initiate meaningful change. Doing so requires not only a progressive mindset but also the readiness to face future challenges responsibly. Haedar mentioned Surah Al-Hashr, encouraging preparation and accountability for what lies ahead: “O believers! Be mindful of Allah and let every soul look to what ˹deeds˺ it has sent forth for tomorrow. And fear Allah, ˹for˺ certainly Allah is All-Aware of what you do.”
He stressed that the future should not be left to chance, but should be carefully planned with a long-term vision.
Haedar also addressed the increasingly competitive landscape in education, both in Indonesia and globally. He noted that many schools are striving to meet international standards, while foreign institutions are also entering the Indonesian education system.
“If we don’t keep up with these developments and think ahead, we risk falling behind. Islam encourages us to compete in doing good, as stated in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 148: ‘So compete with one another in doing good’,” said Haedar.
According to Haedar, the establishment of TK ABA Semesta also reflects the strategic and ongoing role of Unisa and ‘Aisyiyah in improving education in Indonesia. He pointed out that Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah have been committed to the nation’s intellectual and moral development, with TK ABA founded by ‘Aisyiyah in 1919 being one of the earliest and most influential early childhood education initiatives in the country.
“To keep that pioneering spirit alive, we need to keep evolving. Without internal reform and continuous improvement, those early achievements might fade away and be forgotten.”
Haedar praised the choice of the name “Semesta,” meaning “universe,” as it represents a global mindset. He said this aligns with the role of ‘Aisyiyah, known as one of Indonesia’s oldest and most progressive women’s organizations, in responding to the challenges of globalization.
“No country or organization today can isolate itself from global connections and influences. We now live in a borderless world ideologically, intellectually, and socially even if administrative boundaries still exist,” said Haedar.
He compared globalization to a massive force that can easily overwhelm those who are not ready. “Anyone who chooses to close themselves off and refuses to adapt will be left behind—or worse, be crushed by the changing times,” he said.
Haedar also encouraged ‘Aisyiyah to remain committed to renewal and innovation. “Islam is a religion that evolves with time and place. More than that, it carries a mission to bring goodness to all of creation (‘rahmatan lil-‘alamin),’ a blessing for the whole world,” said Haedar.
