Following the Netherlands' recognition of Indonesia's independence in 1949, Soeman was made the head of the regional department of education, working to rebuild damaged infrastructure and to establish new schools, including the first senior high school in Riau and the Islamic University of Riau .
Setelah pengakuan Belanda terhadap kemerdekaan Indonesia pada 1949, Soeman menjadi kepala departemen pendidikan regional, bekerja untuk membangun kembali infrastruktur yang rusak dan mendirikan sekolah-sekolah baru, termasuk SMA pertama di Riau dan Universitas Islam Riau.