IMKA-Pijar (Ikatan Mahasiswa Katolik – Pijar) was established on December 22 1995, as a one of the student activity unit (UKMF) and student organization (LOK) within the Faculty of Law at Tanjungpura University. It also became a core Catholic student organization at the university level. IMKA-Pijar’s motto is “Religio Omnium Scientiarum Anima Est” which means “Religion is the soul of all knowledge” and has St. Thomas Aquinas as a association’s patron saint, he is a revered philosopher, theologian, and saint in the Catholic Church. The presence of IMKA – Pijar was born from the longing of Catholic students of the Faculty of Law for a Catholic forum based on spirituality, solidarity, and intellectuality, aimed at becoming a unifying center for the aspirations of Catholic students in the context of faith and religiosity. The formation of this forum is inseparable from the struggles of seniors at a meeting in 1995 which resulted in a Catholic faith forum at the Faculty of Law of Tanjungpura University named the Ikatan Mahasiswa Katolik Pijar (IMKA – Pijar). The name Pijar was chosen as a symbol of hope that this organization can radiate the light of Christ, becoming “Salt and Light” for fellow Catholic students in particular, and for the entire academic community of Tanjungpura University in general.
The journey of IMKA-Pijar hasn’t always been easy. Although it has established a management structure including its articles of association, the organization faced a major challenge when it did not receive formal approval from the faculty leadership, causing its activities to proceed without certainty. However, thanks to the fighting spirit of senior members and successor cadres, the process of cadre formation and various internal and external activities continued to be carried out consistently. This perseverance and loyalty made the existence of IMKA-Pijar increasingly apparent, until finally its existence was recognized de facto, continually igniting the spirit of faith, brotherhood, and service at the Faculty of Law of Tanjungpura University. Because of this unwavering commitment, IMKA-Pijar has remained active and continues to “glow” to this day. More than that, IMKA – Pijar is committed to being a learning organization for its members, a place to grow, process, and blend with the community through the knowledge and experiences gained in college and in organizational life.
