UPNVJ Public Relations – Veteran National Development University Jakarta (UPNVJ) strengthened student character education through Ethical Thinking material in the Prospektiv 2026 series. The material delivered by Dr. Muthia Sakti, SH, MH, a lecturer at the UPNVJ Faculty of Law, emphasized the importance of academic integrity, digital responsibility, and the ability to make ethical decisions amidst the development of artificial intelligence (AI). The discussion took place in the Prospektiv 2026 video production with UPNVJ Public Relations at the Public Relations Studio, on Wednesday (10/21/2026).
With the theme "Ethical Thinking: Building Ethical Thinking in Academic, Digital, and Professional Life," Muthia encouraged students to understand that success in higher education is not solely measured by academic achievement. Honesty, fairness, caring, and the ability to take responsibility for every decision are also crucial in shaping a student's character.
According to Muthia, ethical thinking is a person's ability to recognize ethical issues, consider relevant values, understand the parties affected, and determine responsible actions. This ability is necessary when students face various challenges, whether in lectures, social interactions, or the use of technology.
"Being a student isn't just about getting good grades or achieving academic success, but also about navigating the process honestly and responsibly. Thinking ethically means having the courage to consider the consequences of every choice, respecting the rights of others, and maintaining integrity even in stressful situations," said Muthia.
He explained that ethical issues frequently arise in daily academic activities. Plagiarism, dishonesty in assigning group assignments, and using information sources without citing references are examples of actions that can harm academic integrity.
Therefore, students need to get used to not only questioning whether an action is permissible, but also considering whether the action is fair, responsible, and respects the rights of others.
Ethics of Using AI in Academic Life
The development of digital technology and AI was a key focus of the discussion. The ease of accessing information and generating content through AI technology offers students the opportunity to enhance learning effectiveness. However, the use of technology without ethical considerations also has the potential to raise issues related to information accuracy, privacy, and academic honesty.
Muthia emphasized that students need to be able to examine AI-generated information, recognize potential bias, protect personal data, and understand the limits of technology use in accordance with academic regulations.
"Technology and AI can help students learn and develop ideas. However, this convenience does not eliminate our responsibility to verify the accuracy of information, safeguard personal data, and ensure its use complies with regulations. Students must remain responsible for the results and decisions they make," he added.
Thus, the use of AI should not replace students' critical thinking processes. Technology can be used as a supporting tool for exploring knowledge and developing ideas, while assessing the accuracy, appropriateness, and consequences of its use remains the individual's responsibility.
In addition to discussing digital challenges, Muthia introduced the stages of ethical decision-making that students can apply. The process begins with recognizing the problem, examining the facts, identifying affected parties, considering relevant values, making choices based on justifiable reasons, and evaluating the impact of the decision.
This approach is expected to help students navigate situations that don't always have simple answers. In both academic and professional life, sound decisions require considering the interests of multiple stakeholders, not simply following custom or environmental pressure.
Prospective 2026 Strengthens Student Character Education
The presentation of Ethical Thinking material is part of UPNVJ's efforts to integrate the development of non-technical (soft) skills with student character building. Through Prospektiv 2026, students are encouraged to develop critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and ethical decision-making skills.
The material, produced through the UPNVJ Public Relations Studio, also demonstrates the use of digital learning media to deliver character education in a more contextual way. The discussion utilizes examples of issues relevant to students' lives to help them understand and apply ethical principles in their daily lives.
Through this learning, UPNVJ hopes that students will be able to use ethics as the basis for decision-making, including when utilizing AI. The integrity developed through simple habits during their studies is expected to be a foundation for producing competent, character-driven, and responsible graduates in both professional life and the digital society.