YOGYAKARTA (KU) – UGM again inaugurated 1,301 graduates of the graduate program, which consists of 1216 masters, 68 specialists, and 17 doctors. The average of study period this time is 2 years and 2 months for the S-2, 4 years and 4 months for specialist program, and 5 years and 3 months for the S-3.
The shortest study period of S2 program, 1 year and 4 months, was completed by Dyah Ekaari Sekar Jatiningsih from the Faculty of Economics and Business, Accounting Science Program. In specialist program, Eko Fibriyanto from Dental Conservation Science completed the study within 2 years and 4 months. Meanwhile, in S-3 program, the shortest study period, 2 years and 6 months, was achieved by Iswandi Syahputra from Cultural and Media Studies, Graduate School The youngest graduate of the S-2 is Ratnawati Nur Utami, who obtained a master’s degree at the age of 22 years 3 months and 6 days.
There are 236 cum laude graduates of S-2 or 19.41% of all graduates. As many as 26 graduates also successfully achieved GPA 4.00 and passed cum laude, completing their study from 1 year 4 months to 2 years.
Senior Vice Rector for Academic, Research, and Community Service, Prof. Dr. Retno. Sunarminingsih, M.Sc., Apt., said that UGM is currently known and recognized by international academic community. UGM continues to improve the quality of performance in order to obtain that recognition. "Although UGM is now known, and recognized in the international academic community, but we continue to improve the quality of performance considering that the global competition is getting tighter," she said in a speech delivered in the graduation ceremony on Wednesday (27/10) at Grha Sabha Pramana.
The Senior Vice Rector mentioned that UGM is now the 321st university in the world as qualified by QS World University Rankings 2010. According to Retno, many factors have been carried out to achieve this ranking. First is academic factor, including research performance. "Up to now, the UGM has succeeded in building international cooperation in the field of academics with 342 universities from many countries in the world. Most of the cooperation are on Graduate program," she said.
Retno added that cooperative activity is manifested in the form of a joint program, such as dual or double degree program, twinning program, credit earning program or sandwich program; exchange programs, such as student exchange and staff exchange, joint research, and joint supervision.
Second is UGM’s success in building international networks by becoming an active member of many organizations or international scientific associations, including joint organization of seminars, workshops, and international symposiums with world institutions or international institutions as well as co-writing scientific books and organizing scientific journals.
Third is implementing quality assurance through academic accreditation, from national, regional (ASEAN), to international accreditations. Fourth is the success of a number of lecturers and students at UGM in winning many international awards and winning worldwide competitions, including competition in the field of basic sciences, various researches, applied technology, and business design. "The fifth factor is the presence of more than 1,000 international students who come from 62 countries around the world who are attracted to study at UGM," she said.
As a world-class research university, UGM has implemented good governance and improved quality, and quality assurance in all aspects. The commitments include improving the quality and arrangement of department’s management, management of human resources and academic administration, finance, and infrastructure or assets.
In addition, UGM is also planning to increase the quantity of graduate school graduates, especially in terms of the proportion of graduate students compared with the total number of students. This will be implemented gradually from year to year. "Currently, the number of S-2 and S-3 students is adequate, which is 31% of the total students of UGM, and it is expected that in 2015, the proportion may be increased to 40%, and is expected to continue rising in subsequent years to support national competitiveness," she explained.
One representative of graduates, Gusti Ayu Yuniati Kencana in her speech expressed her pride to be alumnus of UGM graduate program. She also asked for UGM academic community to always establish relationship with alumni after their return to the hometown. "As a member of KAGAMA, we are always responsible to uphold the good name and honor of our beloved alma mater, Universitas Gadjah Mada," said the graduate of veterinary science, graduate program of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine UGM.