UGM again lost one of its best teachers. Retired Professor of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MIPA), Prof. Dr. Ir. Prayoto, M.Sc., passed away at the age of 74. The husband of Setyaningsih died on Tuesday, August 3, at 20:53 pm in Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta.
The man born in Yogyakarta, January 31, 1936 was buried on Wednesday (4/8) at Sawitsari UGM Cemetery after being departed from his house, Bulaksumur B-15 Catur Tunggal, Depok, Sleman. Previously, he was laid in state at the Hall of UGM to get the final respect from UGM big family.
Vice Rector of Alumni and Business Development, Prof. Ir. Toni Atyanto Dharoko, M. Phil., Ph.D., representing UGM Rector, Prof. Sudjarwadi M. Eng., Ph.D., in his speech mentioned that education, particularly the area of Physical Science, has lost someone who was known as actively developing applied research activities in order to transfer scientific and technological capabilities to support national development.
"He contributed much to the development of science. For him, science will not be meaningful if not applied in real life. To obtain maximum results, a study must be multidisciplinary," Rector said. Prof. Prayoto, according to the Rector, was a figure who respected and loved others very much, worked in earnest, and disciplined in carrying out the duty.
Prof. Prayoto finished the undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada in 1960. Subsequently, in 1963 he achieved master’s degree and doctorate in 1967 from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). While serving in UGM, he had a number of positions, such as Head of Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, UGM (1982-1986), Dean of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences for two periods (1985-1991), and Chairman of UGM Research Institute (1994-1997).
The man who gained professor title on April 19, 1983, with the inauguration speech entitled The Role of Research and Skills Assistance in Natural Sciences also briefly served as Dean of Faculty of Engineering of Unikom Bandung (2000-2004) and Director of STMIK AKAKOM Yogyakarta (2006-2010). He left his wife and four children.