Profound sorrow envelops Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) as it bids farewell to one of its luminaries, Professor Wahyudi Budi Sediawan, from the Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering.
The academic community mourns his passing on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, at 11:55 AM. In a sad procession, hundreds of UGM members accompanied the revered professor to his final resting place at Sawitsari Cemetery, Sleman.
A gathering of officials, faculty leaders, lecturers, administrative staff, and students offered heartfelt condolences to the grieving family during the condolence service at the UGM Balairung on Monday (Dec. 18).
“On behalf of the extended UGM family, I extend our deepest condolences on the passing of Professor Wahyudi. May he find eternal repose in the embrace of Allah SWT, his deeds in this world acknowledged, and may his bereaved family find strength, resilience, and sincerity,” conveyed Professor Mochammad Maksum, Chair of the UGM Professor’s Council.
Presiding over the farewell ceremony, Professor Maksum eulogized the late Professor Sediawan as a revered and cherished figure, educator, role model, and colleague.
His journey in the field began during his undergraduate and master’s studies at UGM, culminating in his pursuit of a Ph.D. at Louisiana State University (LSU), USA, where he received the Distinguished Dissertation Award in 1988.
The late professor left an insightful message as an educator, a reflection for all. Lecturers, he contended, bear the responsibility of achieving two interconnected goals: short-term and long-term objectives.
While short-term goals involve imparting syllabus-bound knowledge, the enduring aim is cultivating a positive mental attitude and fostering continuous learning.
“This message serves as a poignant reminder of the essence of being educators at UGM and the ongoing endeavor to explore knowledge as an enduring, lifelong process,” remarked Professor Maksum.
Professor Sediawan’s expertise and contributions garnered widespread recognition. In Bontang, leaders of chemical industries such as PT Pupuk Kaltim and Kaltim Methanol Industri, among others, acknowledged his brilliance.
“As we bid our final tribute, let me express gratitude to the late Professor Sediawan, a teacher and exemplar to the academic community of UGM. May his rich scientific and professional legacy guide and inspire advancements in worship and future scientific pursuits,” said Professor Maksum.
“May Allah SWT grant forgiveness and a noble place in the realm of eternal peace to Professor Sediawan.”
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photographer: Donnie