Yogya (ME) – Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) inaugurated 1,301 graduates and 215 diploma graduates for Period III of 2009/2010 Academic Year. Graduation ceremony was held on Wednesday (19/5), at Grha Sabha Pramana. The average study period in Undergraduate Program is 4 years and 5 months whilein Diploma Program it is 3 years and 5 months.
The shortest study period of Sarjana program has been completed by Muhammad Yunus Anis from Faculty of Cultural Sciences who finished his study in 3 years 4 months, whereas in Diploma Program Monica Akbar Wijaya from Faculty of Economics and Business successfully completed her study in 1 year 7 months. The youngest graduate this period is Alexander Randy Angianto from Faculty of Medicine, who managed to become a Bachelor of Medicine at the age of 19 years 3 months 19 days, whereas for Diploma program, the youngest graduate is Benoni Stenly Lambiombir from the Faculty of Forestry.
This time as many as 326 graduates (29.16%) passed cumlaude. The highest GPA, 3.98, was gained by Kartika Apshanti from Faculty of Medicine. For diploma program, there were 16 graduates (7.44%) gaining cumlaude, with the highest GPA, 3.83, was achieved by Fadjri Andika Permadi from Faculty of Engineering.
UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D., in his opening speech said the certificate earned by the graduates is not only a sign of success in college, but also evidence of good continuity from the previous education level. "This morning we invited teachers who are represented by principals of elementary schools, secondary schools and high schools who are attending this event with us," said the Rector. The school principals present were from SD Wirokerten, Banguntapan, Bantul, SD Catur Tunggal 4, Tempel, Yogyakarta, SD Muhammadiyah Mutihan 1, Wates, SMP Negeri 2 Bantul, SMP Muhammadiyah 5 Yogyakarta, SMP Negeri 1 Galur, Kulonprogo, Santa Maria High School, Yogyakarta, SMA Negeri 1 Cangkringan, Sleman, Yogyakarta SMA Muhammadiyah 6, and SMA 1 Jetis, Bantul.
On the occasion, the Rector mentioned the real need in today’s world is not merely intellectual ability, but also ability to become future leaders with strong character and good morale. "I want to share about suggestion from several agencies and companies about the quality of the graduates of universities in Indonesia. In their opinion, many new graduates have the intellectual qualifications. However, the real need of the working world is not only intellectuality, but also capability of being a leader, able to work together, to become an entrepreneur with strong character and good morale," he said. The Rector delivered that since the establishment, UGM has the commitment to equip its students with soft skills. Since 2003, Growth Leadership Quality Improvement Program (PPKB) has been opened with the aim to improve the quality of students by providing them with additional values in terms of leadership development. "Besides, UGM also has programs to foster entrepreneurship," he added.