In Academic Year 2018/ 2019, Universitas Gadjah Mada accepts 9,125 new students, consisting of 7,671 undergraduate and 1,454 diploma students.
Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng., said the 9,125 students were the best students who have been selected of 171,800 applicants. They passed selections to UGM with average selectivity rate of 5.3 percent.
“Welcome new Gadjah Mada students and be a part of the academic community of Universitas Gadjah Mada,” he said at GSP courtyard of UGM on Monday (6/8) when opening the induction event of the new students.
Rector said the induction is an initial part of the process to embody their identity and enhance specialty. The event is not a programme to turn them into Jogja or Javanese people but to make new UGM students as real Indonesian persons.
“The induction programme of new students prepares you to be a tough learner that can adapt and adjust all differences that we have to be able to move forward and thrive. Diversity is our strength,” he said.
By officially becoming new UGM students, said Panut, the students will be one that is tolerant, sustaining and nourishing pluralism. Becoming a new student is a new phase in life and a new step of struggle for a bright future.
You struggle not just for your own future but to contribute to the future of Indonesia that is advanced and noble. Hence, being a UGM student does not just mean having good academic achievement, but also being a champion or in Indonesian, SANG JUARA. The Rector interprets this word into new meanings: Santun, Adil, Nasionalis, Gembira, Jujur, Unggul, Amanah, Religius dan Andal. (Polite, Fair, Nationalist, Happy, Honest, Excellent, Trustworthy, Religious, and Reliable).
“The character and competence of SANG JUARA are the capital for you to blend among society, understanding existing problems and giving solutions while becoming smart leaders,” he said.
Meanwhile, UGM Director for Education and Teaching, Dr. agr. Ir. Sri Peni Wastutiningsih, added there were 341,963 high school students in total that had applied to study at UGM’s 68 undergraduate study programmes and 57,050 at 24 diploma study programmes.
As a national university, said Sri Peni, UGM realises this through the diverse origins of the new students. Like before, they come from all provinces in Indonesia, but the highest still comprises from Java.
“For international students, this year there are 36 students from Europe, Americas and Asia, joining double degree or undergraduate programme,” she said.
The acceptance of new students was marked by putting on the university jacket by Nur Wijaya Kusuma, as the youngest student who is accepted at Faculty of Engineering, and Nikmah Wati Rizki, Dentistry student that hails from the farthest region, Erdiyanto Munandar, Engineering student who represents Bidik Misi scholarship recipients, Mas Farouq Uz Zaman Al Qodri, Vocational School student that has special needs, and Helen Farell Bee, international student representatives from the US.
The event went well with some attractions, such as Marching Band, Aceh dance performance, Gama Force demo, etc. Also, there is certificate presentation to 19 outstanding students at national and international levels.
United in Differences
Meanwhile, former Defence Minister and Chief Justice, Prof. Dr. Mahfud MD, in his remarks told the new students to be thankful for the independence that had been gained. This appreciation can be realised by making use of all blessings so that all can thrive together, not just individually.
The new students are expected to sustain unity as a nation because Indonesia is formed by different groups and primordial binds.
“We can unite thanks to common understanding of establishing the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia based on Pancasila that always binds us together amidst differences,” he said.
According to Mahfud, the strength of Indonesia lies in the differences. Thus, everyone is expected to be equal and egalitarian whilst respecting the right to thrive together.
According to Mahfud, differences signify a thing that is created by God, not human, so Indonesians ought to believe that it’s God that creates such differences.
“So, God the Almighty creates us in differences. So, if we believe in God’s power, then we should unite amidst differences,” he said.