UGM held an event of thanksgiving and collective prayers to celebrate its 60th anniversary on Friday evening (18/12) at the Balairung, UGM Main Office. This was marked by the cutting of the tumpeng (rice cone) by the Rector, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M.Eng., Ph.D., and witnessed by UGM academic community, several pedicab drivers, and street vendors who were invited to that event.
Previously, UGM Women Association (Dharma Wanita) also held a Tumpeng competition in which 18 Faculties and 4 institutions around UGM were participating. The chief committee of the anniversary, Dr. Bambang Purwono, said that the tumpeng competition was followed by a thanksgiving that invited heads of neighbourhood and street vendors and pedicab drivers around UGM.
The Rector in his opening speech expressed his gratitude to God for the 60th anniversary. “All of these are due to Allah’s blessings. We extend our gratitude to UGM academic community and people around UGM for their hard work and their support for the academic process at UGM,†said the Rector.
The Rector also delivered his happiness that UGM can offer affordable education. UGM’s rank is not lower than foreign universities and even higher. “We should be grateful that UGM's ranking is higher. Hopefully in the future, we can gain more achievements and give happiness for all,†he added. The occasion was concluded with a prayer led by Drs. Haryanto, M.Si.