Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held the second day of its postgraduate graduation ceremony at Grha Sabha Pramana on Thursday (Apr. 23), with 789 of the total 1,663 graduates conferred their degrees over the two-day event.
UGM Rector, Professor Ova Emilia, congratulated the graduates who had completed their studies at UGM. She also expressed appreciation to the families and all parties who have continuously supported and accompanied the graduates throughout their educational journey to this point.
Professor Ova Emilia added that the graduates are now officially part of the UGM Alumni Family, or known as KAGAMA. Therefore, she urged them to uphold the good name of their alma mater, as well as the dignity and morality of knowledge and professional integrity in their work.
“May all UGM graduates inaugurated today remain diligent in developing and applying knowledge that brings impact to the nation,” she said.
Vice Chair of the Central Executive Board of KAGAMA, Paripurna P. Sugarda, stated that the degrees earned by the graduates naturally raise public expectations. Therefore, he encouraged the graduates, as future KAGAMA members, to consistently help society and serve the nation. Referring to KAGAMA’s slogan, “Guyub, Rukun, Migunani,” which means mutual support, minimizing differences, and being useful to society, Sugarda emphasized that these values should be upheld by KAGAMA members in the future.
“Once you return to your respective regions and carry the status of KAGAMA members, you will find that you are appreciated while at the same time being called upon to contribute greatly to society,” he explained.
Representing the graduates, Agung Giri Samudra from the Doctoral Program of the Faculty of Pharmacy expressed gratitude and emphasized that as UGM graduates, they carry not only academic degrees but also a way of thinking: not to believe something without understanding it, not to oversimplify complex matters, and to remain honest even when it might be easier not to be.
“We do not always have to know the direction from the start, but we must be honest in every step we take,” he said.
In closing, Agung expressed hope that as UGM alumni, they would apply the knowledge they had gained to benefit society, uphold the good name of their alma mater, and continue learning and growing wherever they are. He also hoped that the values instilled at UGM, such as integrity, honesty, and a spirit of service, would continue to be upheld and passed on to future generations. He invited fellow graduates to maintain connections and continue bringing honor to their alma mater.
“Today is not only about finishing, but about being sufficiently prepared to face a world that is never truly finished,” he concluded.
Author: Fatihah Salwa Rasyid
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photo: Firsto