The Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Professor Ova Emilia, officially opened the Ndalem Widya Asih Senior Sharing Space, an interactive facility designed to keep senior and retired staff active, productive, and socially connected in a warm, inclusive environment. Located in the Wisdom Park area, the inauguration marks the completion of the project’s first phase, which began on Feb. 27, 2025.
In her opening remarks, Professor Ova expressed appreciation and gratitude to donors for their support, attention, and contributions to the development of this facility for retired staff. According to Professor Ova, the presence of Ndalem Widya Asih is tangible evidence of collaboration among various stakeholders in creating a beneficial space for the community.
“This soft opening is not merely a ceremonial event, but a milestone toward optimizing the use of this facility in the future. The completion of the first phase is expected to serve as a foundation for further development,” she said.
On the occasion, she also stated that hopefully, Ndalem Widya Asih would become a motivating space for seniors to continue engaging in activities and contributing.
“We hope this place will serve as a space for seniors and retirees to remain active, share experiences, and continue to create meaningful work,” she added.
As is known, the Ndalem Widya Asih Senior Sharing Space is designed to be a comfortable, safe, and serene environment within the UGM Wisdom Park. This facility serves as a platform for interaction, encouraging seniors to stay healthy and active while providing space to share experiences and build relationships in a spirit of togetherness.
The Chair of Yayasan Rahmat, Dr. Rahmat Shah, as the main donor, also expressed hope that this inspirational space would help advance knowledge and generate impactful work.
“If we intend to do good, God will make the way easier. We hope this place will truly benefit the nation and the country. Without quality education, Indonesia will find it difficult to progress far. May this Senior Sharing Space become a home filled with knowledge and compassion,” he said.
Appreciation was also expressed by the Chair of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI), Dr. Sultan Baktiar Najamudin, who attended the event. He viewed UGM’s initiative as a positive step in opening opportunities for broader community contribution.
“We appreciate UGM for providing space to contribute. We hope this place will bring benefits to anyone who uses it, as we are brought together today by shared good intentions,” he stated.
The establishment of Ndalem Widya Asih reflects UGM’s commitment to improving overall quality of life, particularly in health and well-being, reducing inequality, and fostering sustainable community development. UGM also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring this facility is managed optimally as a productive space for interaction and collaboration.
In the future, Ndalem Widya Asih is expected to continue to grow and deliver sustainable benefits for UGM’s senior staff, alumni, and the broader community.
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: Firsto