The Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has conferred degrees on 1,852 bachelor’s graduates, including two foreign graduates and 311 graduates of the applied bachelor’s program.
The graduation ceremony occurred over two days, from November 22 to 23, at Grha Sabha Pramana.
In her welcome address, the rector, Professor Ova Emilia, MD, congratulated the graduates who had successfully obtained academic degrees at UGM.
“Congratulations to parents and guardians who have accompanied them throughout their educational journey,” said the rector on Thursday (November 22).
Professor Emilia emphasized that being a graduate of UGM is not just about obtaining a diploma and succeeding in getting a job. It entails becoming an individual with a broad impact on community life.
The challenges of the future require the role of educated individuals to help the nation overcome various problems, from economic issues, energy, food, health, and the environment to various other emerging issues.
“Our educated individuals make up less than 10 percent. This is your time to play a role as a generation of the nation,” she said.
As university graduates, the rector hoped that the graduates could possess agile thinking and digital skills as a necessity to face the civilization of future technology.
UGM graduates are also expected to be adaptive and innovative, have integrity, and have good character in solving social problems amid the acceleration of global civilization changes.
“Success can also be interpreted as how you become more independent, creative, and brave in opening up new job opportunities as entrepreneurs. That is our hope for all of you,” she said.
Rector Emilia advised the graduates to maintain a good reputation and love for their alma mater, adhere to the truth, and always side with the nation’s interests.
“Live close to the community and always be involved in solving social problems and challenges with the capacity you have,” she added.
Mlathi Anggayuh Jati, a graduate of the Faculty of Psychology, in her speech representing the graduates, expressed her gratitude for being able to pursue and complete her education at UGM.
The knowledge, skills, and character education she gained from the campus would be used as provisions to navigate her life in society.
“We are ready to spread benefits to the community,” Jati said.
Jati addressed that until 2022, only 39.37 percent of young people had the opportunity to pursue higher education due to various factors and obstacles.
“Whatever the factors and reasons, they and we have big dreams and aspirations for a better life for the nation,” she said.
The Chairman of the UGM Alumni Family (Kagama) for Riau Province, Emri Juli Harnis, stated that the graduation ceremony culminates a long journey in achieving the dream of obtaining a degree.
“Completing school is an achievement that is not easy, nor short. We congratulate you on this very proud achievement,” Harnis said.
Harnis emphasized that he is confident that the new graduates have the knowledge, experience, and capacity to contribute to the country and society in their respective fields. He also gave tips for graduates to remain loyal to their work to ensure smooth careers.
“In pursuing a career, love your job, even if the job is not in line with your desires and expectations. Always strive to improve your capacity, discipline, and hard work to achieve the dreams and aspirations you have,” Harnis said.
On the first day of the graduation ceremony, UGM conferred degrees on 1,157 graduates of the bachelor’s program from 9 faculties. On the second day, UGM conferred degrees on 1,006 graduates, consisting of 586 bachelor’s program graduates from 8 faculties and 311 graduates of the applied bachelor’s program at the Vocational College.
The average study period for bachelor’s program graduates in this period was four years and five months, with the fastest achieved by Fauzi Angga Wardana from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, who completed his studies in 3 years, 0 months, and four days.
The average age of bachelor’s graduates is 22 years, six months, and 15 days. The youngest graduate is Dhimas Vito Ardhana from the Faculty of Forestry, aged 20 years, four months, and 13 days.
This period’s Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) for the bachelor’s program is 3.53. The graduate with the highest GPA is Giovano Steven Irawan, from the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, with a GPA of 3.98, and he received the “cum laude” predicate.
Meanwhile, the average study period for graduates of the applied bachelor’s is four years and two months. Dovan Ndaru Ananda Achmad achieved the fastest study time, completing his studies in 3 years, seven months, and 29 days.
The average age of graduates of the applied bachelor’s is 22 years, six months, and 15 days. The youngest graduate is Dhiaulhaq Aryaputra Falah Amurya, aged 20 years, 11 months, and three days.
The Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) for graduates of the applied bachelor’s program this period is 3.68. The highest GPA was achieved by Amanda Ayu Agustin, who graduated cum laude with a GPA of 3.99.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Firsto