Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of Universitas Gadjah Mada conducts the symbolic cornerstone-laying of the new building of the graduate program on Friday (22/7). The construction of the new building is an implementation of a shared desire of departments/study programs, faculty and university that aspires the discourse to increase the number of S-2 and S-3 students up to 50% of all students.
The six-floor A and B building that are respectively covering 3951 square meters and 5349 square meters area are expected to cost $ 60 billion rupiah. Dean Dr. Chairil Anwar advises all members of the Faculty to be cost effective to complete the new building construction. Things to be performed are, among others, the savings by 7 courses of S-1 and 4 courses of S-2/S3 in order to realize the construction of Post-Graduate A buildings. "All of this is indeed done through the generosity and togetherness of colleagues at the level of study program, department, faculty, and university as well as the use of funds in addition to the permission of the university," said the Dean in his speech.
Because the number of students is growing and predicted to reach 4,500 people, consisting of 3,000 S-1 students and 1,500 S-2/S-3 students, the demand of the availability of classroom and laboratory facilities that are good and comfortable is also increasing. Ideally, each student needs an average 10 square meters, to accommodate 4500 students requires 45,000 square meters floor area. "When Building A and Building B are finished plus some existing buildings, we will have 42,302 square meters floor area. It certainly lacks of 2698 more square meters from the ideal conditions," he said while hoping that in the budget year 2012 the completion of the B building can be maintained and budgeted by the government.
Rector Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D. feels proud and appreciates the intention to conduct the construction of new buildings through economization. Through that way, the Faculty is able to save public funds amounting to 20 billion dollars. "It’s certainly a sacrifice," he said.
Besides as the place to study, the Faculty in their work has produced many achievements at international level. The achievements are certainly very prideful and promote the name of UGM. "From generation to generation, hopefully the next generation continues to hang to the values of UGM and give guidance in contributing to the world," he added.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT), Prof. Dr. Amien Rais, also hopes that the Faculty will continue to experience success in the future. Quoting the Prophet’s words, he reminded that anyone who today is the same as he was in the past became the loser. It is the same with the Faculty, if this happens to it, it will become a bankrupt institution. "But this Faculty is lucky because it contributes to promote the UGM to the top," he said.
Consecutively, the cornerstone-laying of the new building is conducted by Prof. Sudjarwadi, Prof. Amien Rais, and Senior Vice Rector for Education, Research, and Community Service, Professor. Dr. Retno Sunarminingsih, M.Sc., Apt. Next, there are Vice Rector for Alumni and Business Development Prof. Ir. Atyanto Dharoko, M. Phil., Ph.D, Dean Dr. Chairil Anwar, Chairman of the Senate of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Subanar, and President of the Student Association.