UGM FISIPOL Alumni who is currently officiating as the Special Staff Coordinator for the President, AAGN Ari Dwipayana, were the speakers at the graduation of prospective graduates that took place on Tuesday (18/2) at Grha Sabha Pramana UGM.
He advised prospective graduates to enliven KAGAMA in the regional branches where they would live, as well as by joining various existing communities.
"The only alumni organization that uses the word family is KAGAMA. After becoming graduates, I hope you can join in the enlivening KAGAMA," he said.
According to him, KAGAMA became a forum for alumni not to only gather but also discuss, work together according to their respective interests and build togetherness. Besides, in KAGAMA alumni are also encouraged to have a contribution to society and the country.
“The existence of KAGAMA must be beneficial to its surroundings, to family, to society also to the country,” Ari said who is also PP KAGAMA Secretary-General.
He shared the story of his struggle when studying at UGM, the journey after graduating and also when he starting his career to the prospective graduates. Before he was known as a book writer, he had been long ago liked writing habits during college when he often got assignments to write papers or essays.
He also wrote several articles which he sent to various local and national mass media. His efforts did not immediately produce results. Many times his writings were rejected for certain reasons, it made him even more eager to improve and write back.
According to him, his perseverance also needs to be owned by prospective graduates because it is not necessarily that their efforts are directly producing results as what they have been desired.
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again," he said.
He also added that UGM Alumni, must excel, take root, unite, be brothers, and share. UGM students have been known not only for achievement but also for sharing. He hopes that these prospective graduates have a concern that encourages them to share with people who need help.
Ari Dwipayana himself was called by President Joko Widodo with a special assignment as the Special Staff Coordinator for the President in the second period of his administration after he had previously served as a special staff in politics and government. In the position he currently occupies, he is surrounded by several special millennial staff who according to him have a myriad of achievements and strong roots.
He said that these millennials could be an example for the young generation of Indonesia, including UGM alumni, to make their contributions armed with the creativity and knowledge they had gained at UGM.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you can produce anything, work on it, and you can achieve the highest achievements if you want to do it. Who knows if you guys someday will be the president's special staff," he said.
Author: Gloria
Photo courtesy: Firsto AP
Translator: Natasa A