After the opening ceremony of its orientation program PPSMB on Monday (31/7), UGM held a gathering for the parents of new students in a hybrid format, with some parents attending the event at Grha Sabha Pramana while others joined online.
Apart from strengthening the relationship between parents and university and faculty leaders, the gathering explained the education process at UGM and introduced the theme of this year’s PPSMB, “Gadjah Mada Initiative, Accelerating the Nation’s Civilization.”
Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sudjito, congratulated the parents on the success of their sons and daughters being admitted to UGM. He also expressed gratitude for the trust they have placed in UGM.
“UGM is committed to fulfilling this trust through education, to shape the new UGM students into intellectuals and future leaders. UGM accepted 10,106 new students this year,” he said.
Dr. Sudjito emphasized parents’ continued participation because the university does not solely determine the success of the learning; he also expects interactions and community and family involvement to play a role.
“Wherever and whatever they absorb will be the material they need to become graduates when the time comes,” he said.
According to the vice-rector, a good education is not just about achieving a high GPA but is also measured by how students become scholars with good character.
It involves their ability and skills to perform daily tasks, such as interacting with lecturers and staff and enjoying the available facilities.
UGM has planned the necessary facilities for education, research, and student activities. Additionally, financial difficulties shouldn’t force students to stop their studies midway through.
“We are committed to providing scholarships at UGM, as they come not only from the government and private sectors but also from our alums,” he explained.
The Rector of UGM, Professor Ova Emilia, MD, shared the same view that the success of the education process is a synergy between higher education institutions and all parties involved, including parents.
“We believe education is not solely the responsibility of higher education institutions; the role of parents is needed and expected throughout the journey of children’s education at UGM,” she said.
The presence of parents is essential for students, providing encouragement and showing their dedication to education as a crucial aspect of their children’s future.
PPSMB is an official orientation program introducing the campus environment to new students. With this program, UGM hopes to instill love and pride in the university.
“This program helps them adapt to their new world. They are no longer high school students; they are now university students. They will certainly be proud of this new title and will face the challenges and adjust to their new life at UGM,” she added.
Throughout the orientation, values such as tolerance, inclusive behavior, and social solidarity are instilled in the students. UGM continuously encourages its students to become ambassadors for these character traits.
For instance, students are introduced to mental health ambassadors. They are taught to care for those around them and their friends, as student life can be significantly improved through mutual support and caring.
“We should avoid fostering intolerance or indifference at the university, and we hope that parents here can join hands in realizing this goal,” she urged.
At the end of her speech, the UGM Rector hoped that parents would emphasize the importance of integrity to their children. She said honesty is one of the main pillars of becoming a strong generation and future nation’s successors.
“Honesty is easy to express but is a daily challenge for us. I hope that our children uphold the values of caring and honesty. I hope that in four years, when they graduate, they will have these character traits, care, and honesty,” she concluded.
Kiswanto, the father of Putri Atmawan Pujaningsih, one of the new UGM students, expressed his pride in witnessing his child’s journey from elementary school to high school, finally passing the university selection process and becoming a new UGM student.
“It is a source of pride for us as parents that our child can study at this campus because UGM is the best university in Indonesia, a dream for many Indonesian children,” he said.
“We should also be grateful to the Almighty God who watches over us all with our big dreams for our children’s future.”
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photographer: Firsto