Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held the 2025 Heroes’ Day Ceremony under the theme “My Hero, My Role Model: Keep Moving Forward to Continue the Fight.” The annual commemoration on Nov. 10 serves as a reflection of the nation’s pride and gratitude for the services of Indonesia’s heroes and freedom fighters. The 2025 ceremony was led by UGM Rector, Professor Ova Emilia, and attended by university and faculty leaders, lecturers, educational staff, and students.
According to Rector Emilia, the Heroes’ Day commemoration provides an opportunity to build the nation’s collective memory, awaken shared awareness, and embody the noble spirit and values of the heroes in all aspects of development.
Quoting Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno, she said, “A great nation honors the services of its heroes.”
“This message implicitly invites us to become the next generation capable of preserving the spirit and virtues of our heroes and making them role models in defending our independence,” she expressed during the ceremony held at Balairung UGM on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.
Before the participants, Rector Emilia emphasized that heroes are not merely names engraved on monuments.
Heroes are beacons of hope that illuminate the nation’s journey toward independence and development.
Their presence teaches us that independence was born from patience, courage, honesty, unity, and sincerity.
The Heroes’ Day commemoration, she said, is a concrete step toward instilling the values of heroism, with a spirit of nation-building and social contribution.
“This is a collective effort to fill the nation’s independence, always grounded in knowledge, empathy, and a spirit of service. With its values of being people-centered, independent, and sustainable, UGM continues to strengthen national development in line with the Asta Cita mission, fortifying national resilience, advancing inclusive education, and realizing social justice in building a high-quality Indonesian society,” she explained.
At the end of her remarks, Rector Emilia called on the UGM academic community to uphold the spirit of struggle, maintain solidarity, preserve unity, and foster a love for humanity and knowledge.
“Let us work, move, and make an impact, and let the spirit of heroism be an expression of our love for the nation and country through developing knowledge and innovation as the foundation for progress,” she concluded.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographer: Firsto Adi