CIKARANG – On February 26, 2026, an academic forum entitled “Seminar & Discussion of The Defense Heritage Newest Book” was held in the Movieland Lobby in Cikarang. Under the theme “Unpacking Defense Heritage Through Literature,” the event utilized literacy as a gateway to re-evaluate modern defense concepts.

The gathering also served a dual purpose: celebrating the fifth anniversary of Dr. Jeanne Francoise, a faculty member at President University, as the first female Doctor to graduate from the Indonesian Defense University.

The seminar framed “defense heritage” as something far more profound than mere military strategy or weaponry. Instead, it was presented as a repository of Historical footprints, National identity, Cultural narratives that shape how a nation perceives itself, and a Global Political Perspective

Ridwan, Ph.D., a Political Science lecturer from Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII), provided a deep dive into the book Guardians of Memory from the lens of global politics and contemporary geopolitical dynamics.

During his presentation, Ridwan highlighted that the book, a collection of essays on defense heritage sites in Indonesia and abroad, operates at the intersection of memory politics, nationalism, and identity construction.

“Even though it is written in a popular-descriptive style, this book actually touches on fundamental issues in political science: how the state and society build legitimacy, identity, and collective narratives through physical historical sites,” Ridwan remarked.

Beyond its academic merits, the event functioned as a hub for intellectual networking. Organizers emphasized that defense heritage should not remain stagnant as an archive or historical document, but rather evolve into a living source of learning to strengthen national insight.

The atmosphere was further enriched by the spirit of Ramadan, as speakers, participants, and organizers concluded the day by breaking their fast together, fostering a sense of community and shared reflection.