The Board of Professors of Universitas Gadjah Mada (DGB UGM) plans to bestow awards upon individuals and figures who have contributed significantly to science, humanity, and environmental conservation.
UGM invites the public to nominate potential candidates for the Hamengku Buwono IX Award and the Universitas Gadjah Mada Award.
Professor M. Baiquni, Chair of DGB UGM, stated that the HB IX and UGM awards are held annually. However, no candidates were deemed suitable for the HB IX Award last year.
“Therefore, this time, we are reopening nominations and broadening the outreach to identify the best candidates with the hope that both awards will be presented,” he said at Fortakgama Room Wednesday (Oct. 23).
Professor Baiquni explained that one or more individuals or figures who meet the criteria could be selected for each award. He hopes that by spreading the word about these awards, they will uncover individuals or figures who have made significant contributions but have gone unnoticed by the public.
He added that both UGM alumni and non-alumni are eligible for the HB IX and UGM Awards. Hence, anyone with information about individuals who have served society, whether in urban or remote areas, as environmental conservationists or selfless activists, can nominate them by providing a complete biography, works, and videos.
“We hope the UGM Alumni Family (Kagama) and other organizations will also submit nominations. Once we receive the data and several names meet the criteria for the HB IX Award, we will consult with Ngarso Dalem (Sri Sultan HB X),” he explained.
Professor Wahyudi Kumorotomo, Secretary of the DGB UGM, emphasized that UGM is consistently committed to honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to their fields and whose work has had a positive public impact.
“We are still open to awarding honorary doctorates, but as for honorary professorships, we hope that UGM will remain consistent in not granting them. Instead, we will offer recognition through other awards, such as the HB IX or UGM awards. I believe this is a more objective approach based on publicly accepted criteria,” he elaborated.
Professor Ambar Pertiwiningrum, Chair of the Selection Committee, added that the HB IX and UGM Awards selection process follows Rector Regulation No. 15 of 2021, which governs honorary titles and awards.
As Chair of the Selection Committee, she affirmed the committee’s focus on presenting the HB IX and UGM Awards.
“We have already made announcements and disseminated information to Kagama chapters across Indonesia. We hope to gather several candidate names by Nov. 9, as the selection results will be announced during UGM’s Anniversary on Dec. 19,” she said.
She reiterated that the UGM Award does not require the recipient to be a UGM alumnus. However, the nominated individuals must align with UGM values.
Therefore, when an individual or institution nominates a candidate, they should refer to UGM’s core values, such as community welfare, preservation of local wisdom, and a focus on innovation or leadership in societal and national life.
“Of course, the nominee should demonstrate a commitment to promoting values of excellence and well-being,” she explained.
Regarding the nomination process, candidates can self-nominate or be nominated by another person or organization.
Nominated candidates must be alive at the time of nomination. The submission must include an introductory letter, a complete resume with a photo, and a link to the candidate’s work. It should be sent to the Selection Committee for the HB IX Award and UGM Awards 2024.
The deadline for submissions is Nov. 9.
The documents should be sent in soft copy to dgb@ugm.ac.id and in hard copy to the Secretariat of the Selection Committee for the HB IX Award and UGM Awards 2024, DGB UGM Office, UGM Central Office.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photographer: Donnie
Post-editor: Afif