The Universitas Gadjah Mada Tennis Association met with the management of the Universitas Gadjah Mada Alumni Family (Kagama) Singapore branch at the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore on Friday (Jan. 17).
During the meeting, various activities of Kagama Singapore were shared, highlighting the successful gathering of 200 Kagama members who are connected through online communication.
The Chair of Kagama Singapore, Reynilda Hendryati, familiarly known as Rere, recounted the history of Kagama Singapore’s formation, which started from the desire to unite UGM alumni residing in Singapore. Today, more than 200 members have joined the WhatsApp group.
“We have gathered around 200 UGM alumni here,” she said.
Rere mentioned that Kagama Singapore’s management was formed in 2021 and has been running various programs, including acting as facilitators in Inspiration Classes for students at the Indonesian School of Singapore by inviting UGM alumni from multiple faculties.
“We hope this can inspire Indonesian children who attend school in Singapore,” she said.
In addition, Kagama Singapore has also collaborated with NGOs in Singapore on voluntary projects by opening courses and training for Indonesian migrant workers on their days off.
According to her, this program aligns with Kagama’s vision and mission of unity, harmony, and usefulness, aiming to bring together alumni scattered across Singapore.
“We want to unite ‘scattered bones’ across Singapore into one family that can certainly be useful for our beloved alma mater and the Indonesian community,” she said.
Kagama Singapore also offers wide opportunities for anyone in need of information about Singapore, ranging from education, professional opportunities, job prospects, and life hacks for surviving in the country.
The Chair of the UGM Tennis Association and Vice Dean at the UGM Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP UGM), Professor Kuncoro Harto Widodo, expressed his appreciation for the warm and friendly reception from the Kagama Singapore Chair and the entire management.
“We appreciate the embassy for facilitating this event so well and so warmly, mediated by Mrs. Irawati Djati, wife of the Deputy Ambassador and mentor of Kagama Singapore,” he said.
Professor Widodo introduced the entire UGM Tennis Association delegation, including Professor Wahyudi Kumorotomo, Secretary of the UGM Board of Professors, who also initiated the ALTITUDE program with NUS as a partner.
“There are 21 members in the delegation,” he said.
According to Professor Widodo, the meeting with Kagama Singapore is expected to strengthen the UGM alumni network and open opportunities for partnership collaboration between UGM, Kagama Singapore, and the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore.
The Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, Human Resources, and Information Systems at FTP UGM added that this visit was also in line with a friendly tennis match with the Indonesian diaspora, supporting UGM’s Health Promoting University program while motivating members to be more active in sports, especially tennis.
“Another hope is that this visit could open broader collaborations, considering the diverse backgrounds of both parties’ members,” he said.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya