Yogyakarta- Universitas Gadjah Mada again inaugurated 1,737 sarjana (undergraduate program/S1) graduates, Wednesday (23/2). The inauguration this time brings together participants from November 2010 and February 2011 periods as the first period had been cancelled because of Merapi eruptions.
This time, the youngest graduate was Andesita Oki Kusumastuti from Faculty of Engineering who completed study at 20 years 4 months of age. Meanwhile, the highest GPA (4,00) was gained by Rizky Wulandari from Faculty of Law.
UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M.Eng., Ph.D., in his opening speech said that the diploma achieved by graduates is evidence of success not only from learning process at UGM but also the previous levels from elementary school and high school. “Therefore, as symbol of gratitude, UGM invited teachers to attend the inauguration this time,” he said.
Sudjarwadi mentioned the principals who were invited to attend the ceremony. They were the Principal of SD Deresan 1 Sleman, SD Pujokusuman 1 Yogyakarta, SD Panjatan Kulon Progo, SMP Negeri 2 Berbah Sleman, SMP Negeri 2 Kasihan Bantul, SMP Negeri 1 Kalibawang Kulonprogo, MAN 1 Yogyakarta, SMAN 1 Jetis Bantul, SMA PIRI 1 Yogyakarta, and SMA BOPKRI 3 Yogyakarta.
Sudjarwadi said that in each level of education, one of important supporting factors in the success of learning process is the curriculum. At UGM, besides knowledge and skills, graduates also get mental attitude learning and Gadjah Mada values. “Not a few of graduates of our beloved campus have dedicated their knowledge and skills for civiization, usefulness and happiness. However, compared to Indonesia with a population of 230 million people, we still need people in a bigger number who dedicate themselves to the nation,” he added.
To the graduates, Sudjarwadi suggested to always learn with optimism because one day they will be learned leaders who can bring UGM values in professional life and are meritorious to the nation and state. “Indonesia is currently expecting you because our country has abundant wealth. In global trade, the additional value of our natural resources is taken by other countries. For example, if we obtain lumbers, we should wait for another 15 years for the results, then people who sell them get an additional value 5-6 times within 5-6 months only,” he said.
On that occasion, Sudjarwadi also gave appreciation to graduates who previously became volunteers to help survivors of Merapi eruption. For Sudjarwadi, becoming volunteer is a part of students’ duty to dedicate their time for the sake of wider society and build a network with international world.
Representative of graduates, Irin Hidayat from Faculty of Cultural Sciences, said that as UGM graduate she was proud because not all people have the opportunity to study at the oldest and the biggest university in Indonesia. However, the pride must be realized by dedicating the knowledge they have gained to educate the nation. “We should have the spirit to dedicate the knowledge in order that our knowledge can be more useful,” she ended her explanation.