Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Professor Ova Emilia, officially opened the series of events celebrating UGM’s 76th Anniversary. The opening ceremony was marked by the rector placing her hand on the videotron, followed by deans from the health cluster faculties who serve as the organizing committee for this year’s Anniversary. To enliven the occasion, the “Sensasi” exercise, created by Professor Suryono, Chair of the 76th Anniversary Committee, was also launched.
Carrying the theme Healthy Campus, Pillar of National Self-Reliance and Resilience, the opening featured a joint exercise session, followed by health checkups and a blood donation drive.
A number of upcoming activities include online training and certification for 1,000 health cadres, the UGM Trail Run, the Korpagama Healthy Walk, a cycling event, and internal sports competitions such as volleyball, futsal, badminton, line dance, and fishing tournaments.
Meanwhile, Dharma Wanita Persatuan of UGM (DWP UGM) will contribute with social visits, memorial pilgrimages, community service, and a health talk show.
On the academic front, the committee has scheduled a National Seminar in conjunction with National Health Day, as well as the Anugerah Insan Berprestasi awards ceremony.
Cultural celebrations will include a traditional dance-drama performance, a shadow puppet show, Alumni Gathering Night, and the Nitilaku cultural parade.
The highlight of the Anniversary will be marked by the rector’s annual report, a scientific oration, and the conferral of the UGM Awards.
Rector Emilia welcomed the theme of UGM’s 76th Anniversary, Healthy Campus, Pillar of National Self-Reliance and Resilience.
She said the theme recalls the saying, “A healthy body houses a strong soul.” This phrase, she noted, underscores the importance of health as a priority because it influences various aspects of human life.
According to Rector Emilia, health does not only refer to physical and spiritual well-being, but can also be interpreted holistically to include social and environmental aspects.
In this context, a healthy campus entails a clear vision and mission, accountable governance, excellent and sustainable performance supported by strong oversight and leadership, as well as consistency in producing innovations.
“It is fitting that in 2025, UGM’s 76th Anniversary embraces the theme Healthy Campus, Pillar of National Self-Reliance and Resilience as the foundation for strengthening our shared commitment to uphold the mandate of higher education as a pillar of the nation in shaping future generations of strong character,” she stated at the UGM Balairung courtyard on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.
The rector further emphasized that a healthy campus reflects UGM’s commitment to creating an academic atmosphere that promotes sustainability, health-promoting behaviors, and social accountability, strengthened by smart digital infrastructure to support national self-reliance and resilience.
Meanwhile, the concept of the campus as a pillar of self-reliance demonstrates UGM’s motivation to advance knowledge and technology, serve as a driver of innovation, and cultivate excellent human resources to accelerate sustainable development.
Through this 76th Anniversary momentum, Rector Emilia encouraged the academic community to build a healthy and sustainable campus atmosphere, foster dignified and inclusive education, optimize downstream innovation and research, and enhance community service to strengthen social networks.
“I am optimistic that the series of events for the 76th Anniversary will embody our collective spirit and growth, helping UGM foster a healthy and impactful campus environment,” she said.
Echoing this, Professor Suryono, Chair of the 76th Anniversary Committee, explained that the theme Healthy Campus, Pillar of National Self-Reliance and Resilience was chosen not merely as a slogan, but as a reflection of the importance of holistic health, physical, mental, social, and environmental, as the implementation of a Health-Promoting University.
UGM, he added, believes that a healthy campus will produce resilient and competitive young generations, ready to face the dynamics of the times.
“In the context of the nation, comprehensive health, physical, mental, social, and environmental, serves as a solid foundation for realizing national self-reliance and resilience,” he explained.
Professor Suryono expressed hope that UGM’s 76th Anniversary will not only serve as a celebration but also a strategic momentum to strengthen UGM’s role as a national university committed to health, self-reliance, and resilience.
He emphasized that the anniversary series of events can inspire and reaffirm UGM’s steps in nurturing a healthy, independent, and resilient young generation for a better Indonesia.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographer: Firsto Adi