The Rector of UGM, Professor Ova Emilia, presided over the conferment of degrees upon 1,577 graduates from bachelor’s and applied bachelor’s programs, comprising 1,463 bachelor’s program graduates and 114 applied bachelor’s program graduates.
“Your degrees signify the commencement of your contribution to the nation’s progress and serve as a testament to your dedication, bringing pride not only to yourselves but also to your parents and guardians,” remarked the rector during her address at the graduation ceremony held at Grha Sabha Pramana on Wednesday (Feb. 21).
During the event, Rector Emilia underscored Indonesia’s endeavor to break free from the middle-income trap, emphasizing enhancing human resources to nurture more productive and competitive individuals while upholding ethical values and the responsibility to wield knowledge and skills judiciously.
According to her, higher education institutions play a central role in enhancing the quality of human resources through proficiency in science, technology, and innovation development, facilitated by creating high-quality learning environments.
Furthermore, an open educational system is fostered by enhancing comprehensive education and the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program through collaboration with domestic and international industries.
“This initiative aims to enrich multidisciplinary integrated education and cultivate learning environments aligned with industrial development and technological advancements,” she added.
At UGM, the MBKM program has been integrated from the outset, with growing student and industry partner involvement aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of UGM graduates and positioning them as global leaders.
“I am confident that the knowledge, skills, and personal attributes you possess today will empower you to confront the complexities of societal challenges,” she stated.
Suroya Ahmadia Luqman, a graduate of the Faculty of Engineering, shared that the journey to the graduation podium is a distinctive experience for each individual. Some grapple with the loss of loved ones, some endure financial hardships, while others strive tirelessly to complete their studies.
“Our responsibility as students may have concluded, but our responsibility as graduates, bearing the degree conferred after our names, extends far beyond; we now carry individual responsibilities,” the graduate affirmed.
She expressed gratitude to educators and the university staff for their invaluable support throughout their journey and that of their fellow graduates. She also requested support and blessings to become an alumna who can bring honor to her alma mater.
Dr. Ario Setra Setiadio, Chair of the UGM Biology Alumni Family, projected that the future trajectories of today’s graduates will vary over the next 5-20 years, contingent upon their success in navigating their careers and realizing their potential. Triumphing in the era of global competition demands diligence, dedication, and sincerity to achieve success.
“We must define life goals; do we aspire to be remembered or forgotten, esteemed or disparaged? Then, we must take action because knowledge alone will not transform our lives; our actions will. Remember, the journey of a thousand mountains commences with a single step,” Dr. Setiadio emphasized.
He reminded graduates to align their endeavors with their interests and talents and collaborate with fellow team members.
“Through collaboration, we can pool efforts to seek solutions. As social beings, we depend on one another. It is advantageous to befriend those who have excelled in their fields and join communities engaged in consistently productive and contributory activities,” he advised.
During this graduation ceremony, 163 graduates were recipients of the government’s Kartu Indonesia Pintar-Kuliah (KIP-K) scholarship, and 45 bachelor’s graduates hailed from 3T (frontier, outermost, underdeveloped) regions.
The average study period for bachelor’s graduates in this period was 4 years 3 months, with the swiftest completion achieved by Anggita Fitri Ayu Lestari from the Communication Science program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, concluding her studies in 3 years 1 month 24 days.
The average age of bachelor’s graduates was 23 years, 6 months, and 15 days. The youngest bachelor’s graduate in this period was Rafidah Kemala Dewi from the Dentistry program, Faculty of Dentistry, at 20 years 3 months 1 day.
The cumulative grade point average (CGPA) average for bachelor’s program graduates in this period was 3.57. Of the graduates, 923 (63.09%) graduated with Distinction, while 491 (33.56%) were rated Very Satisfactory, and 19 (1.30%) were rated Satisfactory, with 30 graduates (2.05%) without a designation.
In this period, Mutiara Cantikan from the Cultural Anthropology program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, achieved the highest CGPA of 3.99, also graduating with Distinction.
For applied bachelor’s graduates, the average study period was 4 years 5 months, with the fastest study period achieved by Silvia Rahmawati from the Public Sector Accounting program, Vocational College, completing her studies in 3 years 11 months 21 days.
The average age of this program’s graduates was 23 years, 6 months, and 16 days. The youngest graduate with a designation was Silvia Rahmawati, from the Public Sector Accounting program, Vocational College, at 21 years 11 months 16 days.
The average CGPA for applied bachelor’s graduates in this period was 3.63. Three graduates (2.63%) were rated with Distinction, while 111 (97.37%) were rated Very Satisfactory. The highest CGPA was achieved by Virginia Amelia Supranta from the Travel Business program at Vocational College, with a CGPA of 4.00.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Firsto