Sitting at the same table as a speaker alongside a professor is truly something. How could it not be? The professor is a senior figure, possessing extensive knowledge in the realms of Dayak literature and culture.
He is an emeritus professor of English Education at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) at Lambung Mangkurat University. Fortunately, I know him well, not just through social media but in thoughts and feelings as well. Also, his dreams about the Dayak people.
I shared the stage with him at the academic seminar during the Dies Natalis of Palangka Raya University in 2018. He presented a topic on the history of the Dayak people, while my focus was on Dayak literature and cultural commodification.
Lambut is renowned as an academician, having reached the pinnacle of academic ranks as a “professor.” He holds the title of Emeritus Professor in English Education at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) of Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin.
His expertise lies in the field of “Literature.” Interestingly, during his student days, he was required by his professors to read at least 10 standard English novels. However, he consistently exceeded the required number, reading 40 standard English novels.
According to him, today’s students lag in the aspect of reading. Reading has not become a cultural norm among young people. Yet, reading is the gateway to comprehensive understanding—the essence of discourse.
Being a lecturer for more than thirty years has made Lambut gentle-hearted, treating students as subjects rather than objects. Students are not empty vessels to be filled; each person has potential. His duty is to guide and unearth the students’ potential to the best of his ability.
He believes that learning does not cease in the lecture hall. “If you encounter difficulties in learning, contact me. Don’t hesitate to ask,” he always advises his students. “And one more thing,” he emphasizes. “Don’t pay me a single cent! I am happy to see you succeed.” Such testimonials from his students can be found on a social platform (http://green-lit.blogspot.com/2012/07).
In addition to his expertise in literature, Lambut is also active in UNESCO as a researcher on Dayak human and cultural issues.
One of his widely quoted opinions asserts that the Dayak people do not originate from a single ethnic group but rather represent a collective term for the native inhabitants of Borneo, distinguishable based on various similarities.
