Former Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan, attended the commemoration of the 35th Anniversary of the Student Senate Congress, held alongside the reunion of former Student Senate and Student Executive Board (BEM) leaders of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) from 1991 to 2025. The event took place on Saturday (Jan. 31) at Building B, Faculty of Biology (Biology UGM).
Through this cross-generational gathering, participants hoped that the critical spirit, solidarity, and values of struggle and commitment to public interests would continue to thrive within student organizations in future generations.
Baswedan, who served as Chair of the UGM Student Senate in 1992–1993, shared during the discussion session the bureaucratic pressures students faced at the time. These included instances when the concept of the UGM Student Senate was reported to the Directorate General of Higher Education as deviant.
However, he emphasized that the university leadership at the time provided tangible support to its students, including Haryono, who then served as Vice Rector for Student Affairs.
“Mr. Haryono was like a lightning rod for students at Gadjah Mada, shielding us from the extremely high tension we faced at that time,” he said.
According to Baswedan, the cross-generational meeting of former Student Senate and BEM leaders marked an important moment for reflecting on the journey of student organizations across different eras.
He expressed hope that universities throughout Indonesia would continue to serve as spaces for nurturing leadership potential. At these campuses, students can develop critical, objective thinking grounded in knowledge and broad perspectives, within a healthy democratic climate.
“These are all the seeds for safeguarding our democracy so that it remains healthy and oriented toward the interests of the wider public, as we continue striving toward social justice for all Indonesians,” Baswedan concluded.
Former Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Haryono, recalled his role in accompanying student movements on campus amid the repressive climate of the New Order era, following the implementation of the Normalisation of Campus Life/Campus Coordination Board (NKK/BKK) policy.
He expressed his happiness at the time, as he often engaged in discussions with students on campus. He advised today’s younger generation to remain actively involved in student organizations and to engage in student communication forums.
“Never regret having been a student activist during your college years. What we did truly had a positive impact on our careers after graduation,” he said.
Chair of the organizing committee for the 35th Anniversary of the Student Senate Congress, Dr. Elan Satriawan, explained that the first Student Senate Congress emerged amid the restrictive political climate of the New Order, which constrained student movements. This made establishing the Student Senate part of a difficult struggle.
He noted that the gathering served as a reflection on the many lessons learned and a reminder of students’ past efforts.
“We organized this event not merely to celebrate the existence of the congress or to reminisce, but because there are many lessons from this congress that deserve to be remembered and reflected upon,” said Dr. Satriawan, a UGM economist.
UGM Vice Rector for Planning, Assets, and Information Systems, Dr. Arief Setiawan Budi Nugroho, expressed his appreciation for the active contributions of cross-generational student activists who attended the event. He stated that the spirit of service born of student movements should not end when one’s studies conclude.
“All of you here were activists in your time, who not only influenced Universitas Gadjah Mada but also helped shape the nation. Therefore, devotion to Indonesia does not end at graduation, but continues throughout one’s lifetime,” explained Dr. Nugroho.
Dean of Biology UGM, Professor Budi S. Daryono, expressed his pride that Biology UGM served as a meeting place for student activists across generations.
He emphasized the importance of preserving togetherness and ensuring the continuity of the values upheld by student organizations since their early days. He also stressed the need to sustain the spirit of struggle so that future generations can carry it forward.
“This gathering is driven by our desire to keep our spirit alive, to take part in serving the nation, and to continue the values of struggle that once grew on this campus,” said Professor Daryono.
Author: Cyntia Noviana
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Zabrina Kumara Putri
Photographer: Jesi