Yogyakarta – UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M.Eng., Ph.D., emphasized that in the 21st century, the center of culture and sciences in the world is Asia. Previously, in the 19th century, center of culture and sciences was in Europe and then moved to America, particularly North America in the 20th century. “Currently, center of culture and science moved to Asia. In Asia, there are five countries to look forward to, such as China, India, Korea, Japan and Indonesia,” said the Rector in Graduation Ceremony of UGM Graduate Program, Wednesday (26/1).
Abundant natural resources are extraordinary to be utilized by university graduates to make Indonesia a world center of culture and sciences. “Our natural wealth is very extraordinary. IfIndonesian people become an intellectual society, we would certainly come to top in the global competition,” Sudjarwadi said.
He added that university graduates should be in the frontline to create a learned community. Therefore, UGM graduates are expected to always develop long life sciences and apply the science in accordance with UGM’s values.
However, to create a learned community is not easy. One of them is because few community groups can study in university. Currently, it is only 18% of community age group studying in university. “The number is too small compared to Indonesian population which reaches 230 million people. In developed countries, people who can study in university generally reach 50%,” he said.
To UGM graduates, Sudjarwadi asked to spread UGM’s values such as Pancasila and scientific values. According to Sudjarwadi, UGM scientific values grows with the spirit in developing and applying science for civilization, utility and happiness of people.
The Graduate program this time inaugurated 957 graduates consisting of 905 masters, 40 specialists, and 12 doctors. The shortest period of Master program was completed by Moh. Adhib Ulil Absor of Physics Study Program who finished his study in 1 year. For Specialist program it was Dewi Elianora from Faculty of Dentistry who finished her study in 2 years and 3 months. Meanwhile, the fastest period of Doctoral program, 3 years and 1 month, was completed by Bulhani from Chemistry program Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
Furthermore, the youngest graduate in S-2 was Al Asyari from Faculty of Medicine who gained Master title at the age of 22 years 5 months and 14 days. Cumlaude graduates in the inauguration were 134 people or 14,81% of all S-2 graduates. The highest GPA were gained by Agung Cahyono from Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Dyah Subositi (Faculty of Biology), Elida Lailiya Istiqomah (Faculty of Mathemetics and Natural Sciences), Sugeng Prayitno (Faculty of Agriculture), Angga Novansa Ratna Asih (Faculty of Engineering), and Aries Bagus Sasongko (Graduate School) with perfect grade 4,00.