The management of the Alumni Association of the Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Leadership and Policy Innovation (KAPIMGAMA) of Graduate School (SPs) Universitas Gadjah Mada for the 2024-2029 term has been officially inaugurated.
The inauguration was led by the IV Chairman of the Daily Management Board of PP Kagama, Professor Paripurna P Sugarda, at the UGM Graduate School Auditorium on Friday (Jun. 28).
Almost all the management members and dozens of KAPIMGAMA members attended the inauguration ceremony. Several public officials from UGM and the Graduate School were also present.
There were the Head of the UGM Alumni Office, Dr. Sulistyowati, the Dean of the Graduate School, Professor Siti Malkhamah, and the Head of the Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Leadership and Policy Innovation at the Graduate School, Professor Agus Heruanto Hadna.
In his speech, Professor Hadna mentioned that to form KAPIMGAMA was a long journey. Although conceived long ago, KAPIMGAMA was only officially formed on Jan. 19, 2024.
A decree signed by the Dean of the UGM Graduate School marked the formation of KAPIMGAMA. This decree was then strengthened by decree number 237, dated June 20, 2024, by PP Kagama.
“The spirit behind its formation is to foster relationships among its alumni and serve as a working partner for UGM and each of its individual members. We cannot walk alone but must synergize,” he said.
Some of the KAPIMGAMA management inaugurated include Chairman Major General (Ret.) Dr. Hassanudin, Daily Chairman 1, Ronald Andi Kasim, Daily Chairman 2, Heri Wiranto, Secretary, Jenri Mula Panondang Panjaitan, Deputy Secretary 1, Anggi Rahajeng, Deputy Secretary 2, Novi Widyaningrum, Treasurer Ayu Sari Wulandari, Deputy Treasurer, Kartini Sally and several field managers.
Professor Sugarda hopes that KAPIMGAMA, as an organization, can prioritize togetherness and harmony. More than that, he said, KAPIMGAMA must be useful for the wider community.
“The tagline Kagama migunani means we must help marginalized communities because most of them do not have the access we have,” he said.
He said one way for UGM to do this is to use the connecting doors the alumni have to help these communities. If alumni do not have one, then as Kagama, they can use their many networks or friends who can help.
“That is our strength. We should be proud that Kagama is more united than other university alumni. This spirit of togetherness makes our strength greater. I say UGM would mean nothing without the support of alumni, including from KAPIMGAMA, whose program and graduates are very special,” he concluded.
Dr. Hassanudin stated that KAPIMGAMA is an alumni organization that will become a forum for networking and interaction between alumni and students of the Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Leadership and Policy Innovation, both in academic and non-academic fields.
“We hope that KAPIMGAMA will become a think tank forum that will contribute to strategic thinking related to leadership and policy innovation, as well as community service and empowerment activities, in anticipation of the great vision of the Republic of Indonesia welcoming 100 years of independence in 2045,” he said as the chairman of KAPIMGAMA and the Acting Governor of West Nusa Tenggara.
On this occasion, he emphasized the importance of alumni contributions in building innovative policies to prosper the people because the challenges of the nation and the country are becoming increasingly complex.
This is marked by the rapid development of digital technology and the dynamics of global, regional, and national scales.
“The role of alumni is very strategic, both at the central and regional levels, especially to create innovative leaders who can provide solutions to the increasingly complex challenges the nation is currently experiencing,” he concluded.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Lintang