Universitas Gadjah Mada inaugurates as many as 1,718 graduates from Undergraduate Programme (1,143) and Diploma Programme (575) at Grha Sabha Pramana on Thursday (24/8). This inauguration is conducted for two days where UGM had inaugurated as many as 1,729 new graduates yesterday (23/8). In this inauguration period, there are 16 graduates from a number of countries, 352 graduates from the undergraduate and 112 graduates from diploma who had completed their degree by government scholarship, as well as 88 graduates from the undergraduate and 80 graduates from diploma who came from rural areas in Indonesia.
UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng. said after completing their degree, the new graduates will follow the path of UGM alumni to take a role in society, work based on their expertise, and directly involve in various issues in the society. The challenges that will be faced by the university graduates are the tight competition in work field and how to interact with people who have different backgrounds. “In those conditions, every person is required to take an action, as UGM graduates, our attitude has to be rooted in the noble values of this nation, Pancasila,” said Panut.
Panut hopes the new graduates always have the spirit of Pancasila in the midst of many threats from parties or groups who want to disunite the nation. According to Panut, Pancasila is not only a motto but also a spirit and values that have to be imbued to guide every step and action.
Rector invites the new graduates for not being scared of going outside their comfort zone and facing the bigger problems. According to Panut, there has been many academicians and intellectuals in this nation who are not only making theory, but also actually fighting by dedicating their knowledge to society and making innovations. “This nation requires various innovations to make us equal with other nations in the world,” he added.