Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has conferred degrees to 1,391 postgraduate students, comprising 1,187 master’s graduates, including two foreign nationals, 89 medical specialty graduates, eight medical subspecialty graduates, and 107 doctoral graduates.
UGM’s Rector, Professor Ova Emilia, congratulated the graduates who have completed their academic programs.
“Congratulations and the highest appreciation to all graduates for their hard work in completing their education,” said the rector at the graduation ceremony held at Grha Sabha Pramana on Wednesday (Apr. 24).
The rector also expressed gratitude to the families and all parties who supported and accompanied the graduates throughout their education.
“I believe that the knowledge and competencies you have acquired will contribute positively to the advancement of science and technology, supporting the nation’s development in the future,” she stated.
In her speech, the rector highlighted that the QS World University Ranking by Subject 2024 placed UGM 61st globally in Theology, Divinity, and Religious Studies, making it the only Indonesian university on the list.
Additionally, UGM’s anthropology field ranked 51-100 worldwide. She emphasized that the postgraduate programs significantly contributed to UGM’s global rankings.
“This year, 25 fields of study at UGM are ranked globally in QS WUR by Subject. This recognition is a proud moment for us and should be celebrated as it results from the hard work of the faculty and the Graduate School leadership,” she said.
The rector, quoting President Joko Widodo, stressed that postgraduate education is crucial for developing professional human resources with academic and professional competencies, including knowledge mastery, skills, leadership, discipline, responsibility, and professional ethics.
“All of this requires students to have excellent physical and mental well-being to learn optimally. Therefore, students’ physical and mental health plays an essential role in academic life on campus to achieve academic and non-academic excellence,” she noted.
The rector also addressed the findings from the Indonesian Ministry of Health regarding mental health issues, distress, and depression among medical specialty students across Indonesia, including suicidal thoughts during their studies.
She responded that UGM has always emphasized managing students’ mental health through comprehensive efforts, including prevention, individual and group interventions, environmental support, and awareness-raising within the academic community.
“As an inclusive campus, UGM has also provided various preventive measures against mental health disorders among students, lecturers, and staff. We are now collaborating with international institutions to make UGM an inclusive campus,” she elaborated.
Representing the dental specialty graduates from the UGM Faculty of Dentistry, Irene Sanita Lanny expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to study at UGM.
“UGM has equipped us with knowledge, and we hope it benefits society. As alumni, we have a moral responsibility to act as agents in society, being intelligent yet ethical, holding firmly to truth and compassion,” she stated.
Dr. Mohammad Rudiansyah, Chairperson of the UGM Alumni Family (Kagama) in South Kalimantan, advised the graduates to uphold the good name of their alma mater, act wisely, unite, and set an example in their new workplaces.
He encouraged them to “Continue to work according to your duties and professions to develop the region with Kagama colleagues.”
The average study duration for the master’s programs is two years and three months, with the fastest completion time achieved by Arif Muazam from the Master’s Program in Biology, Faculty of Biology, who finished in 1 year.
The average age of master’s graduates in this period is 29 years and six months. The youngest graduate is Yoke Sarah Asafita from the Master’s Program in Notarial Law, Faculty of Law, at 21 years and nine months.
The average GPA for master’s graduates is 3.71, with eight graduates achieving a perfect 4.00 GPA, including Beatrix Marendeng from the Master’s Program in Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing.
The average study duration for the medical specialty programs is four years and two months, with the fastest completion by Aulia Ayub from the Orthodontics Program, Faculty of Dentistry, in 2 years and five months.
The youngest medical specialty graduate, Aulia Ayub, completed at 27 years and six months. The average age of medical specialty graduates is 34 years and six months.
The average GPA for medical specialty graduates is 3.78, with two graduates, Aulia Ayub and Irenne Sanita Lanny, achieving a perfect 4.00 GPA.
The average study duration for the doctoral programs is four years and ten months, with the fastest completion by Suwardi from the Doctoral Program in Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, in 2 years and seven months.
The average age of doctoral graduates is 41 years and six months. The youngest doctoral graduate is Mu’amar Musa Nurwigantara from the Doctoral Program in Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, at 25 years and eight months.
The average GPA for doctoral graduates is 3.87, with 12 graduates achieving a perfect 4.00 GPA, including Suwardi from the Doctoral Program in Agricultural Engineering.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Firsto