The Central Executive Board of the Universitas Gadjah Mada Alumni Association (PP Kagama) officially inaugurated 47 new board members of the West Sulawesi Regional Board (Pengda Kagama of West Sulawesi) for the 2025–2030 term.
The inauguration was led by Vice Chair of PP Kagama Professor Anwar Sanusi, and attended by UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia, Assistant II for Economic and Development Affairs of the West Sulawesi Provincial Secretariat, Rachmat, and Chair of Pengda Kagama of West Sulawesi, Abdul Wahab.
During her visit to Mamuju Regency, West Sulawesi, where she met UGM alumni and attended the inauguration ceremony, Rector Emilia emphasized the importance of synergy between universities, alumni, and local governments in accelerating equitable access to education.
She also introduced the affirmative Pre-University pathway program, which provides opportunities for high-potential students from underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions, including West Sulawesi, to pursue higher education at UGM through a special, non-test-based selection mechanism.
“Through this scheme, we hope that more young people from West Sulawesi will be able to pursue higher education at UGM. Let us focus on strategic fields aligned with regional potential, such as fisheries and local resource development,” she said at the Grand d’Maleo Hotel, Mamuju, on Saturday (Jan. 17).
Chair of Pengda Kagama of West Sulawesi, Abdul Wahab, stated that the inauguration was not merely ceremonial but marked an important milestone for Kagama West Sulawesi to become an intellectual force that contributes tangibly to regional development.
“We want Kagama West Sulawesi to serve as a professional partner to the government and the community in developing human resources, in line with UGM’s spirit of people-centered and national values,” he said.
Meanwhile, Assistant II of the West Sulawesi Provincial Government, Rachmat, representing the Governor of West Sulawesi, expressed full government support for Kagama’s role in West Sulawesi. He noted that successful regional development is largely determined by the quality of its human resources.
Rachmat acknowledged the importance of UGM alumni contributions in leveraging their knowledge and networks to accelerate regional development.
“We welcome the collaboration between UGM and Kagama to help improve the quality of human resources in West Sulawesi,” he said.
In his address, Professor Anwar Sanusi emphasized the importance of work ethic, networking, and a strong spirit of service among UGM alumni. He noted that UGM’s values of guyub, rukun, and migunani (solidarity, harmony, and meaningful contribution) must be reflected in concrete roles across bureaucracy, industry, and society.
“Kagama is not merely an alumni association, but a big family that strengthens one another. Let us seize opportunities to contribute across all sectors, building both the region and the nation,” he added.
Among the daily executive members inaugurated were Chair Abdul Wahab; Vice Chair I Nehru Sagena; Vice Chair II Andi Ahlianty; Vice Chair III Ridwan Jafar; Executive Chair Firman Juang Mallarangeng; Secretary Muhammad Zakir Akbar; Deputy Secretary I Sriwiyata Ismail; Deputy Secretary II Indah Mustika Sari; Deputy Secretary III Tajriani Thalib; Treasurer Titik Rantelino; Deputy Treasurer I Dwi Agustrianti; and Deputy Treasurer II Suharlina.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Salma
Photographs: Pengda Kagama of West Sulawesi