Universitas Gadjah Mada once again graduates 1,369 students of postgraduate study, consisting of 1,213 Masters graduates, 88 Doctorate, and 68 Specialists on Thursday (19/4), in Grha Sabha Pramana. The standard period of study for Master Program is 2 years 7 months, Specialist Program is 3 years 8 months, while Doctoral Program is 5 years 4 months.
The shortest period of study for the master program is achieved by Aloysia Yossy Kurniawaty from Master of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, in 1 year 3 months and 17 days. For the specialist program is achieved by Edi Karyadi from Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, who completed his study within 1 year 5 months and 23 days. Meanwhile, the shortest doctoral program is achieved by Budi Setiyanto from Electrical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, who earned his degree in 3 year 4 months 13 days.
The average age of master graduate is 30 years and 8 months, specialist program is 33 years 8 months, and doctorate is 45 years 8 months. The youngest graduate of master program is Destiana Wahyu Pratiwi from Master of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, who graduated at the age of 22 years, 3 months and 20 days.
The youngest graduate of specialist program is awarded to Lavinia Devin Irawan from Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, who completed her study at the age of 26 years, 8 months and 26 days. Meanwhile, the award for doctoral program is achieved by Puguh Wahyu Prasetyo from Mathematics Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, who earned a doctorate at the age of 29 years, 8 months, 27 days.
There are 193 graduates (15.91%) of the master program with Cum Laude honor and 7 people (7.95%) from doctoral program. The average Grade Point Average (GPA) for Masters is 3.55, 3.64 for specialist program and 3.72 for doctoral degree. Among the master graduates, there are 10 students who achieve 4.00 GPA and graduate with Cum Laude. Moreover, one of the students, Santi Imelda Simatupang from Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, graduates with the shortest period of study and 4.0 GPA. From the specialist program, the highest GPA is achieved by Lavinia Devin Irawan from Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, with 4.00 GPA. In doctoral program there are 3 graduates with 4.00 GPA and Cum Laude honor. One of the graduates also achieved the shortest period of study, Budi Setiyanto from Doctoral Program in Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, with 4.00 GPA and Cum Laude honor.
As a graduate representative, Lavinia Devin Irawan from Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, said in her welcoming speech that the graduation ceremony was the end of a long process of studying at UGM. “We came here with a dream to study at the university we’re proud of. After our struggle during the study, we finally reached the day we become a graduate.”
However, Lavinia added, the graduation ceremony was not the end of our pursuit of dreams, rather than the first step to contribute in the national and state development. “I hope that we could contribute to the nation and state, promote and prosper our society with knowledge and competence that we get from here,” she said.
In his welcoming speech, UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng. said that the graduates would soon follow the footsteps of UGM alumni in contributing to the community and experience various problems and challenges that occur in the community. “New challenges await you. The world we see today might be much different from what we know before.”
Rector stated that the world was currently entering the Fourth Industrial Revolution era which emphasized digital economy, artificial intelligence, big data and robotic ability. It is an era of technological development and a replacement of the conventional that causes the loss of various jobs, yet able to create many new jobs and skills as well. For that reason, he added, the government initiated to establish Indonesia version 4.0, which focused on the development of human resources quality. Therefore, universities are encouraged to redesign the curriculum by adopting Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics education, developing vocational education, and shaping qualified graduates to engage and participate in the process of national development.
With the spirit of innovation and socio entrepreneurship, Rector said, UGM continued to move forward in line with time, continuously innovating in educating students and preparing the graduates with skills to shape the next generation, while anticipating the negative effects that might arise from the changes. “We hope that our spirit will guide you to your future,” he concluded. (Public Relations UGM/Gusti Grehenson; photo by: Firsto)