Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) officially opened the 2025 PIONIR orientation program for new students on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, held at the Grha Sabha Pramana (GSP) field.
This event marked the formal welcome for 10,629 new students admitted to UGM this year, comprising 8,728 undergraduate students and 1,901 applied bachelor’s students from various provinces across Indonesia.
In addition, 32 international students from India, China, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Timor-Leste also joined the program, adding to UGM’s diversity as a global campus.
Carrying the theme “The Contribution of Gadjah Mada Muda for Indonesia’s Bright Future”, this year’s PIONIR encourages new students to become a generation ready to make an impact from their first steps on campus.
Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, in his speech, explained that the PIONIR program was designed to open space for dialogue, collaboration, and reflection on UGM’s core values.
“This program serves as a starting point and a pivotal moment to build collective awareness of students’ roles in driving social change,” he stated.
Vice-Rector Sudjito added that through PIONIR, UGM hopes its new students will not only adapt quickly but also cultivate productive relationships with their surroundings.
He emphasized the importance of early awareness of sustainability, including through education on waste management and environmentally friendly lifestyles, which are integrated into the orientation series.
“We hope this program becomes the first step in instilling sustainable habits and enhancing environmental awareness,” he said.
UGM Rector, Professor Ova Emilia, emphasized that PIONIR is not merely ceremonial, but rather the starting ground for shaping students into adaptive, collaborative, and solution-oriented individuals in response to contemporary challenges.
She stated that sustainability and social contribution are essential aspects of UGM’s vision for nurturing future leaders.
Students are encouraged to treat the university as an inclusive, reflective, and impactful space for personal growth.
“Keep learning and improving your capacity for competition, enabling collaboration, adaptability, creativity, and innovation,” said the rector.
Rector Emilia further noted that this spirit aligns with UGM’s 2025 and Beyond vision, which positions students as key actors in cross-sectoral collaboration networks.
PIONIR serves as the initial platform for instilling values of togetherness, social responsibility, and leadership rooted in societal realities.
Students are urged not only to think within academic frameworks but also to understand their role within the broader national development ecosystem.
“Gadjah Mada Muda, the Nation’s Pioneers,” she concluded.
Yogyakarta’s Vice-Governor, Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Adipati Aryo Paku Alam X, was also present to welcome the new students as official members of Yogyakarta’s academic community.
He stated that Yogyakarta is an ideal place to grow and learn, with its rich culture grounded in the values of tolerance and mutual cooperation.
Students are expected to excel not only academically but also socially.
“I hope students can embody this spirit and use it to grow into a generation that is inclusive and socially conscious,” he said.
The vice-governor also reminded students that their university years are the right time to shape themselves holistically, both intellectually and emotionally.
The academic journey in Yogyakarta is expected to be a meaningful experience in developing leadership and national spirit.
“Make every moment of your life in Yogyakarta an opportunity to cultivate a strong sense of community and actively contribute to positive change,” he concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographer: Donnie