Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) conferred degrees on 1,054 master’s, specialist, subspecialist, and doctoral graduates during its Fourth Graduate Commencement Ceremony for the 2025/2026 Academic Year, held Wednesday (July 22) at Grha Sabha Pramana.
The graduating class comprised 821 master’s graduates, 131 specialist graduates, 12 subspecialist graduates, and 90 doctoral graduates, including one international doctoral graduate. The ceremony also recognized 19 graduates from previous commencement periods.
Women made up 52.66 percent of the graduating class, while men accounted for 47.34 percent. Master’s students completed their studies in an average of two years with an average GPA of 3.72, including 24 graduates who earned a perfect 4.00 GPA. Specialist graduates averaged 3 years and 11 months with an average GPA of 3.79, while doctoral graduates recorded an average GPA of 3.89, with 28 achieving a perfect GPA.
In her address, UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to use their knowledge to address society’s most pressing challenges.
She also highlighted UGM’s recent recognition as the recipient of the Indonesia Solar Award 2026 in the Educational Institutions category, describing the achievement as evidence of the university’s commitment to sustainability and environmentally responsible campus development.
“This award is both an achievement and a reminder that we must continue realizing our vision of a truly green campus,” she said.
Professor Emilia emphasized that universities must do more than educate students—they must also generate knowledge and innovation that benefit society. She said UGM continues to strengthen research, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure its graduate programs remain relevant in an increasingly complex world.
“We hope our graduates possess the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and integrity needed to contribute to national development and help solve society’s challenges,” she said.
Representing the UGM Alumni Family Association (Kagama), Arif Afandi, a member of Kagama’s Advisory Council, welcomed the graduates into one of Indonesia’s largest university alum networks.
He reminded them that joining Kagama means becoming part of a lifelong community built on the values of guyub (solidarity), rukun (harmony), and migunani (making a positive contribution).
“Welcome to the UGM family. Uphold the good name of your alma mater and continue contributing to society, the nation, and humanity,” he said.
Arif also noted that UGM recognizes both degree holders and former students as alumni, reflecting the university’s belief that the values and experiences gained during one’s time at UGM extend beyond academic credentials.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Dr. Surani Hasanati, who earned a doctorate in Geography, described graduate education as a journey of intellectual growth rather than simply the pursuit of a degree.
She said the experience had transformed the graduates’ ways of thinking while teaching them resilience, courage, and the importance of applying knowledge to benefit society.
“This journey taught us that courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to keep moving forward despite uncertainty and exhaustion,” she said.
Dr. Hasanati encouraged fellow graduates to embrace lifelong learning, remain adaptable, collaborate across disciplines, and continue creating innovations that contribute to a more sustainable Indonesia.
“Graduation is not the end of our journey but the beginning of a greater responsibility to serve society through knowledge, integrity, and meaningful action,” she concluded.
Author: Jesi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photo: Donnie