YOGYAKARTA – The recent disasters that hit Indonesia will strengthen the social asset in the form of spirit of volunteerism. This should emerge not only during disasters but also post-disaster and normal situations. “In times of disasters like this, we’re touched in how people are helping each other. Volunteering spirit emerges to help victims of disasters. That is an exceptional social asset,” said Rector of UGM, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M.Soc., Sc., in his remarks on a graduation ceremony taking place on Wednesday (19/2).
According to Pratikno, if such spirit is developed further, it can become the energy for society to exercise its right in casting the ballot in the General Election on 9 April. This spirit should also spread to political figures who want to become leaders, giving them good motivation to lead the country well and pass it on to the next generations. “I’m convinced we will become a great country,” he said.
Disasters that struck the country not only left miseries for those affected but also positive sides in terms of education aspect, namely, bringing forward science and technology. Pratikno said the previous earthquakes and landslides in Indonesia had prompted innovations among UGM scientists.
“Civil engineering scientists have developed quake-proof homes, while landslide detection tools that were applied in Karanganyar, Banjarnegara, and Situbondo, had helped the local people detect landslide risks. Such technology is now used by geothermal industriy and multinational mining corporates in Indonesia as well as in Myanmar and China,” he said.
Generating 1,227 Graduates
Director of Academic Administration of UGM, Dr. Agr. Ir. Sri Peni Wastutiningsih, announced UGM inaugurated as many as 1,227 graduates with the average length of study 4 years 9 months. The quickest -3 years and 2 months – is completed by Inesyahana Asrifa (International Relations). The youngest graduate is Gusti Ayu Amanda Clarissa Himawan (International Relations) who graduates at the age of 19 years and 11 months.
The number of cumlaude graduates is 268 or 21.93% with average GPA being 3.26. Those who gained perfect GPAs (4.oo) are Lasteningtyas Dharmastuti and Nafziah Ulfa Nur Elyta from Law study programme.