The 14th National fegress of the Gadjah Mada Alumni Family (Munas Kagama) was held from Nov. 14 to 17.
The General Chair of the Central Executive Board (PP) Kagama, Ganjar Pranowo, officially opened this event on Friday (Nov. 15) at the Mercure Convention Center Ancol, Jakarta.
With the theme “Kagama Service for the Nation,” 1,050 UGM alumni from across Indonesia and overseas attended the event. This year’s participants set a new record as the largest in Munas Kagama’s history.
The chair of the Munas Kagama XIV Organizing Committee, Dr. A.A.G.N Ari Dwipayana, shared that preparations for the Munas began on July 1, 2024, with planning stages and the launch of the logo and jingle at Rumah Kagama.
Kagama also organized 13 pre-munas seminars in various cities, discussing diverse topics aimed at preparing the nation for Indonesia Emas 2045.
“Kagama is a unique organization because it uses the word ‘family’ instead of association or union. This is why families from across the archipelago and the world are returning to Rumah Kagama now,” Dr. Dwipayana explained.
He continued, stating that besides being a home, Kagama also serves as a place for all alumni to provide benefits, inspiration, and real contributions to UGM, the surrounding community, and the nation.
The leadership may change, but the commitment to the nation remains. This is the main reason behind this year’s theme, as Kagama must always be ready to contribute to solving the country’s challenges.
“We also thank everyone for their ideas, initiatives, and thoughts that have developed during the Munas preparation process, especially PP Kagama, who prepared all the content we will discuss throughout this Munas,” he concluded.
The Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Professor Ova Emilia, expressed her gratitude for the excellent synergy and cooperation established with alumni.
Professor Emilia explained that many programs have been successfully implemented due to the strong collaboration between the university and Kagama, such as the Community Service Program (KKN), which has been running since 1951 and now operates in 36 provinces across Indonesia.
“Other programs include UGM Menyapa Alumni to foster close relations with alumni in various regions, and the Praktisi Mengajar Program, which connects academic learning with practical field experience,” she elaborated.
Professor Emilia also mentioned the downstream program in various forms and the affirmation program for selected students from remote areas.
Not to be overlooked are the pre-graduation training program, which prepares UGM students for their careers, and the Kagama Scholarship Program, which has been immensely helpful.
“Thanks to this scholarship program, we can confidently say that no student will have to drop out of UGM due to financial difficulties once admitted,” Professor Emilia said.
She further noted that numerous opportunities can be achieved together if the synergy between UGM and Kagama is well-established from the upstream, which refers to the university, to the downstream, which refers to Kagama as the alumni organization.
“We can work together to accelerate solidarity, harmony, and usefulness,” she concluded. The rector expressed hope that Munas Kagama’s entire agenda would run smoothly for the benefit of UGM.
Ganjar Pranowo, as the General Chair of PP KAGAMA for the past two periods, stated that he always cherishes the moment of meeting fellow UGM alumni because it brings back the warmth of the place where their dreams were first built as students.
“Although time passes and life takes us in different directions, the feelings and atmosphere among us remain the same, so keep up the funny and quirky jokes because they make us feel like family,” he said emotionally.
He emphasized the concept of “migunani,” or usefulness, which has always been the goal wherever Kagama is present.
This sense of usefulness was particularly felt during times of crisis in Indonesia, such as the global pandemic, when Kagama members worldwide contributed with all the resources they had.
During natural disasters, Kagama mobilizes its network, resources, and manpower to provide assistance and solutions.
“We are at the forefront whenever the government seeks solutions for national development, whether in social, economic, energy, or cultural sectors,” he added.
Pranowo also shared Kagama’s growth over the past decade, as evidenced by the increase in regional boards.
The number of Regional Executive Boards (Pengda) has grown from 24 to 34, the number of Branch Executive Boards (Pengcab) has increased from 61 to 212, and overseas branches have expanded from 3 to 12.
Faculty Alumni Boards have grown from 14 to 18, and the largest increase has been seen in Kagama Community groups, which have risen from just 7 to 110.
“Wherever we stand, we hold up the sky to contribute to everyone,” Pranowo concluded.
Also present at the opening ceremony were Muhaimin Iskandar (Cak Imin), the current Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Teguh Setyabudi, the Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta, and Basuki Hadimuljono, who was entrusted with the role of Head of the Ibu Kota Nusantara Authority in the Merah Putih Cabinet.
Ganjar Pranowo sounded a gong to mark the official opening of the Munas. The inauguration of the new General Chair of PP Kagama will take place on Saturday night (Nov. 16) after all the plenary sessions have concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Firsto