Yogyakarta- Faculty of Medicine UGM, Sunday night (19/12) launched Kagama Card for 17 thousands of alumni spread all over Indonesia and abroad. The launching of the card was symbolically marked with the handover of the card by Vice Head of BRI Yogyakarta, Imam Widodo, to Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. dr. Ali Ghufron Mukti, M.Sc., Head of Medical Kagama, Dr. Sugiri Syarief, Director of Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Prof. Dr. dr. Budi Mulyono, and Deputy Dean of Academic, Alumni, Business and Welfare of the Faculty, Prof. dr. Suhardjo, S.U., Sp.M(K).
Ali Ghufron said that Kagama Card is used as credit card to ease the Faculty of Medicine to record alumni in all regions. “Our alumni are everywhere, even in remote areas. They can get the card through BRI Bank anywhere. The card will ease us to monitor their location,” said Ghufron.
He added that Kagama Card not only serves as alumni card but also credit card. The alumni can get the free credit card easily because it is guaranteed by Faculty of Medicine UGM. “Alumni of Faculty of Medicine do not need extra energy to get the credit card because the card has been guaranteed by the Faculty in BRI Bank,” he said.
Sugiri Syarief explained how Kagama Card can be used as alumni’s ID and credit card for transactions in any town. Sugiri also explained that he had intentionally invited Bank Rakyat Indonesia for the project because this Bank can be found in all regions in Indonesia. “We chose BRI, because it has branches everywhere,” he said.
Sugiri said that the alumni card is not only for doctoral alumni but also all levels in Faculty of Medicine UGM, starting from diploma of medical and nursery, doctors, to specialist doctor. The card is expected to ease the alumni to share and support the development of education in Faculty of Medicine. “At least, the card can improve alumni’s privilege,” he said.
The card launching took place at Radioputro Building Faculty of Medicine UGM simultaneously with alumni gathering and initiation of the 40th Anniversary of the Faculty. The Chairman Committee of the Anniversary, Prof. dr. Suhardjo, S.U., Sp.M(K)., said that the peak event of the Anniversary will be on 5 March 2011. Previously, the event was focused on community service for those affected by Merapi eruptions. Various events held were alumni gathering on Sunday evening, sport championship, keroncong (Indonesian typical music) competition, tumpeng (rice cone) competition, fun walk, and art competition.
He added that the community service given to people affected by Merapi eruptions was intended to help and reduce their burden, to empower health workers in Turi sub-district of Sleman. They also gave check-up and eyeglasses assistance, free cataract surgery, health service in Code River watershed Yogyakarta and water purifier aid for people around Code river. “All activities is focused on community service for Merapi,” he said.