UGM become the largest contingent in the 29th National Student Scientific Week (PIMNAS) after its 33 teams getting through to the finals. During the final stages to be held at the Bogor Agricultural Institute from 8-11 August, 2016, a total of 153 UGM students have a special mission to not only reclaim the general champion title, but also pioneer in the birth of a creative culture for the young generation.
“Our target is not only gold medal. Our target is not limited to be the overall winner, the real target is to establish a creative culture,” said the Rector, Prof. Ir. Dwikorita Karnawati, M.Sc., Ph.D, when dispatching the PIMNAS participants at UGM, Saturday (6/8).
Being a champion, she said, is deservable considering the accomplishments that have been shown by UGM students during this time. However, the participation of UGM students in this event is not just to show off their own ability and skills. She sees this event as a momentum to deliver spirited young people who are creative, innovative, resilient and tenacious.
“For the tenacious, once they faced failure is not a problem, they will get back up to become the winner. Although last year we did not become the overall winner, but we must quickly get back and jump high to be the winner,” she added.
The character is important because in the next 30 years Indonesia is predicted to enter the golden era, and the students in front of her are those who would later become the leaders of Indonesia.
“PIMNAS is the arena to practice and train the vision to become future leaders. You must be able to prove, 15 years from now we want to see you become national figures due to your intellectual and spiritual capacities,” she delivered her message.
Support from Alumni
Support for UGM contingent also came from the Alumni Association of Universitas Gadjah Mada (KAGAMA). In the evening gathering with KAGAMA Bogor Raya held on Sunday (7/8), the UGM alumni of various faculties and generations welcome the UGM team. They also told the team to make UGM proud.
“From what has been delivered before and preparations that have been made, I believe you have remarkable ability, and I am sure we will win,” said the General Secretary of the Central Board of KAGAMA, AAGN Ari Dwipayana.
On the occasion, he also advised that students to not only see PIMNAS as a competition to be won, but also an opportunity to establish synergies with other universities to contribute for Indonesia.
“Other universities are not our enemy. In the competition there is winning and losing, but to the future Indonesia should be built together. Therefore, we should join hands to build Indonesia to the future,” he said.
Ending the evening meeting, the students join a photo session with alumni while chanting, “UGM the Champion… Sure we can!”