A gala dinner for Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)’s 38th Indonesian National Student Science Competition (PIMNAS) contingent and the South Sulawesi Chapter of the Universitas Gadjah Mada Alumni Family (Kagama) was held in Makassar on Wednesday (Nov. 26) evening.
The event brought together students, faculty advisors, and alumni who have supported UGM’s contingent during their stay in Makassar. Participants gathered in a warm and convivial atmosphere after a full day of presentations. This gathering served as a moment of pause to reinforce morale before entering the final series of PIMNAS activities.
UGM Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, expressed his gratitude to the Kagama South Sulawesi for the support extended from the preparation stage through the event.
Vice-Rector Sujito emphasized that the alumni network plays a significant role in supporting students throughout national-level competitions.
He also highlighted that collaboration between the university and its alumni forms an essential foundation for strengthening the student ecosystem.
“Competitions may bring medals, but collaboration brings care,” he said.
During the occasion, Vice-Rector Sujito added that students’ experience at PIMNAS encompasses a broad learning process, ranging from academic work to building social networks.
He encouraged students to maintain collaborative relationships with alumni as part of their long-term journey.
According to him, the presence of Kagama across various regions is a tangible reflection of alumni concern for the development of UGM students.
“Knowledge finds its meaning when it is shared,” he noted.
Chair of Kagama South Sulawesi, Dr. Asniar Khumas, expressed her delight in welcoming the UGM contingent during their time in Makassar.
She explained that close cooperation between the Kagama South Sulawesi and Makassar chapters had been established since the early preparation phases.
Dr. Khumas affirmed that their contribution reflects the alumni’s affection for UGM and the values instilled during their studies.
“We are always pleased to contribute, even in small ways, to support what UGM is doing,” she said.
Dr. Khumas also noted that alumni support had been extended to cover the costs of securing accommodations, transportation, and other technical needs for students.
She expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to support the UGM team throughout this year’s PIMNAS activities.
According to her, this collaboration underscores the strong commitment of UGM alumni to ensuring the smooth implementation of academic activities in the region.
“A sense of pride and joy always emerges when we can interact with and assist UGM,” she said.
Representative of the UGM student contingent, Muhammad Haikal, expressed his deep gratitude for the warm reception from the Kagama South Sulawesi.
He noted that alumni assistance had been present since the arrival of the UGM team in Makassar.
Haikal mentioned that this support was invaluable, especially for students under pressure from competition.
“We are truly grateful for the assistance given from the beginning; even in urgent situations, Kagama was always there,” he said.
Haikal added that the journey to PIMNAS 38 was a long process involving proposal preparation, program implementation, and presentation stages in Makassar.
He hoped that the good relationship between students and Kagama would continue beyond this event.
According to him, the warmth shown by alumni has provided additional motivation ahead of the PIMNAS results announcement.
“We hope that tonight’s gathering marks the beginning of an even closer relationship with the UGM alumni family,” he said.
The gala dinner demonstrated that the UGM contingent’s participation in PIMNAS carries with it a story of strong social networks supporting students’ learning.
This shared experience provided positive energy for students who are still awaiting the competition results.
Through the synergy among students, faculty members, and alumni, UGM hopes that the spirit of collaboration will continue to flourish across various fields of service.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographer: Donnie Trisfian