Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng., inaugurates 1,083 graduate students, which consist of 983 Masters graduates, including 26 foreign students, 37 Specialists, and 61 Doctorate including 2 foreign students.
In his greeting, Panut said graduates of this period will become a part of UGM alumni’s big family dispersed throughout Indonesia and other countries. “On behalf of UGM, I would like to congratulate the graduates who have finished their study at UGM,” said Rector during the graduation ceremony in Grha Sabha Pramana, Thursday (7/19).
In front of the graduates, Rector predicts that Indonesia will become a developed country in 2045, precisely a century since the independence. To meet this target, natural resource-based national development should shift into technology and knowledge-based development as a strategic resource for the country’s progress and prosperity. “Therefore, universities must take part, sustain, be the actor of knowledge-based economic development.”
He opined that Indonesia has long been proud of its natural resources. However, in the present time, natural resources are no longer enough to support national development. “In recent years, we have noticed there are countries with no natural resources that managed to advance. It is because they rely on the power of knowledge, a priceless resource, and innovation.”
Unlike natural resources, knowledge is limitless and even reproducible. Knowledge continues evolving over time and therefore, it is the most strategic investment for a country through science and technology advancement.
Universities hold the responsibility to sustain the target. In the era where small changes are impactful in determining the nation’s future, universities must set up resilient human resources with technological skills and adaptability to inevitable changes. “We are optimistic that one day you will become an important figure in this country. Before it happens, we would like to tell you to work for the common good. Stand with the people because that is your call.”
Graduate representative, Diah Fitria Widhiningsih, S.P., M.Sc., said in her speech that graduation ceremony is the campus’ symbol to dispatch the alumni to new environments with knowledge. “I believe other graduates also think that UGM has transformed us into knowledgeable, determined, and sociable individuals.”
She believes that every knowledge gained from the university is essential for the community. She also expects UGM to continue fostering excellent generation and always be the nation’s pride.
In this period, the shortest study time for master’s degree is achieved by Rusman from Master of Development Economics by 1 year 2 months and 25 days. For the Specialist program, Flandiana Yogianti from Dermatology and Venereology by 3 years 9 months and 2 days. Meanwhile, for Doctoral degree, the award goes to Chaerul Basri from Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine by 3 years 9 months and 7 days.
The youngest Masters graduate is Diamantin Rohadatul Aisy from Religious and Cross-Cultural Studies, 22 years 7 months and 18 days, while from the Specialist program is Anrizandy Narwidina from Pediatric Dentistry, 27 years 9 months 15 days. On the other hand, the youngest Doctorate is Puspita Indra Wardhani from Geography Doctoral Program, 29 years 4 months and 16 days.
Grade Point Average for master’s degree is 3,60, the Specialist program is 3,66, and Doctoral program is 3,75. The highest grade point of 4,00 is achieved by 8 graduates with Cum Laude, and one of them has the shortest study time, Waode Murniati Sadia from Master of Civil Engineering. For the specialist program, the highest grade point is achieved by Flandiana Yogianti from Dermatology and Venereology who graduates with 3,98 GPA. Meanwhile, there are two Doctoral program graduates who achieved the highest GPA of 4.00 and Cum Laude, namely Chaerul Basri from Veterinary Medicine and Lina Winarti from Pharmacy Doctoral Program.