Hundreds of students living at UGM Residence (dormitory) participated in soft skills activity program (personal ability), at the Multipurpose Hall of Dharma Putra Residence on Saturday (28/8) afternoon. The programs at the student residence are scheduled to be held 12 times a year.
Bahari Suharto, S.S., who is in charge of the activity, said that this program was intended for new residents. He said there were at least 750 residents spread over four residences, such as Dharma Putra Residence, Cemara Lima, Ratnaningsih and Bulaksumur Residence. They are students of S1, S2 and S3 programs. "Of that number, 400 of them are freshmen and around 80 are foreign students," he said.
The proffer of soft skills program is intentionally given to the boarders to support their academic abilities that they have already gained at the university. It is planned that the proffer of soft skills materials will be provided each month, presenting UGM experts. Among the materials are ethics and success, effective communication, creative thinking, leadership, the key to success, effective organizational and time management, self-confidence and so forth.
The Former Chairman of the Academic Senate of UGM, Prof. Dr. Sutaryo, Sp. A. (K)., while giving the material of Gadjah Mada values confirmed that nowadays students are required to study more diligently to master the science and technology so they will be able to compete with other students abroad. It is one of the roles and responsibilities of students to value the Independence. "Unlike the period before the Independence, students at that time were studying during the war," Sutaryo said.
The Professor of Faculty of Medicine added, in addition to active learning, students should also apply the principles of Pancasila and prioritize friendship values during their struggle for the benefit of mankind. "As a student living in a dorm, the student is not only qualified academically but also in attitude and ability in implementing creative vision, feeling and intention (cipta, rasa, dan karsa)," he said.