Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) hosted an alumni gathering titled “Sinergi UGM dan Kagama” at Grha Sabha Pramana on Saturday evening (Dec. 14).
This event was part of the UGM’s 75th Anniversary and 15th Lustrum celebrations, highlighting the harmony and synergy between UGM and the UGM Alumni Association (Kagama).
During the gathering, awards were presented to three UGM’s Faculty of Forestry alumni for their significant contributions to the development of Wanagama Nusantara, a 621-hectare education and conservation area in the new capital city of Indonesia, Nusantara (IKN).
The awardees included Muchamad Sumedi, recognized for his dedication to forest and land rehabilitation; Pungky Widiaryanto, for his focus on water resources and forestry development; and Dyah Murtiningsih, for her efforts in gas management and forest rehabilitation.
Wanagama Nusantara is envisioned as a center for environment-based education accessible to the wider community, showcasing UGM’s commitment to conserving Indonesia’s forests.
The Kagama Awards were presented by UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia, alongside Kagama Central Board Chair Basuki Hadimulyono.
In addition to the awards, the event featured a batik and wastra auction, with proceeds directed toward scholarships for underprivileged students.
Sulastama Raharja, Head of Community Service and Environmental Preservation at Kagama, reported that Kagama had disbursed IDR 1.434 billion to 453 students through its scholarship programs.
Raharja detailed that the Gadjah Mada Peduli Foster Parent Program provided 25 students with IDR 605 million, while the Gadjah Mada Peduli Program supported 108 students with a total of IDR 298 million.
This report followed a symbolic scholarship handover to student representatives present at the event.
Dr. Arie Sujito, Chair of UGM’s 75th Anniversary and 15th Lustrum Committee, thanked alumni for their unwavering support of their alma mater, primarily through scholarship programs for underprivileged students.
He emphasized UGM’s commitment as a people-oriented university that upholds inclusivity and ensures access to education for all societal levels.
“UGM firmly believes that no one should miss out on higher education due to financial constraints,” he said.
UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia highlighted the collaborative efforts between UGM and Kagama through various programs, including Gadjah Mada Peduli, the Foster Parent Program, research commercialization, and alumni contributions to campus development.
She urged alumni to continue supporting education and teaching by participating as practitioners, fostering research, and advancing UGM’s role as a hub of innovation in Indonesia.
“We hope this moment strengthens the synergy between Kagama and UGM,” she concluded.
Author: Rahma Khoirunnisa
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Donnie