YOGYAKARTA – Universitas Gadjah Mada inaugurated 1,514 graduates. The average study time is 4 years and 8 months. The shortest study time -3 years and 1 month – is made by Syahri Ramadhan Siregar (Arabic Literature). The youngest graduate -20 years and 4 months old- is Nurul Azizah from Civil Engineering while the graduate passing cumlaude totals 353 (23,4%). The highest GPA – 4.0- is achieved by Diah Pratiwi from Law studies.
Rector of UGM, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M.Soc.Sc., congratulated all the graduates. “On behalf of UGM, I would like to congratulate all graduates and parents,” said the Rector in the inuaguration ceremony in Grha Sabha Pramana, Tuesday (19/11).
Pratikno stated that all graduates should always increase their capabilities in the globalisation era. According to Pratikno, globalisation is not a new thing in Indonesia as the archipelago had been long opened to spice buyers and traders from the East and the West. “But globalisation has now reached a massive point, what lies around is is global,” he said.
In terms of research and hi-technology, Indonesia is far left behind than the developed countries. It is, however, more important to develop science and technology independently.
World trade chains can be used for participation in the global competition. This needs science and technology, arts and market reach. Government, therefore, has to draw a policy that protects its citizens. Labour force has to work in synergy with businessmen in building competitive power. Higher learning and researchers have to build a competitive science and technology. With these, Indonesia will have the opportunity to compete globally. “The skill to find innovations is needed to give an added value to science and technology. This, of course, has to be supported by business players, labour and government,” he said.
The next ten years became a momentum for Indonesia to get out from the middle-low income country category to middle-higher income one. “Only a few countries can get out of that trap,” he said.