UGM’s 2023 new student orientation PPSMB Pionir came to a formal close on Saturday (5/8), with students creating a sequence of shapes that could be seen from above, which has grown to be a signature of PPSMB from year to year.
During the closing ceremony, the President of the Republic of Indonesia and one of the UGM’s notable alums, Joko Widodo, greeted the new UGM students through a video broadcast.
“Welcome to Universitas Gadjah Mada. Congratulations on becoming new students at the university we are all proud of. Forty-three years ago, I was accepted as a UGM student, and the situation was very different from today,” said Joko Widodo.
Addressing the new students, he talked about the fourth industrial revolution that has transformed the economic, social, cultural, and political landscapes. Amid this condition, he believed that students must not remain silent and left behind.
“We must not be overwhelmed by the wave of disruption; instead, we must be able to ride the wave and become confident winners,” he added.
He advised UGM students to become creative, innovative, adaptable, and resilient learners.
“Being a student at UGM is a starting point, an open door to pave your future. Therefore, prepare yourself well and study with discipline,” he said.
This year’s PPSMB carried the theme “Gadjah Mada Initiative, Accelerating the Nation’s Civilization.” It consisted of a two-day university orientation on July 31 and August 1, faculty-level on August 2-3, and soft skills training on August 4-5. After the closing event, new students will conduct an action plan for August 7-12.
Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni Dr. Arie Sujito revealed that PPSMB is an arena and an initial process to build student optimism. The term “Pionir” (pioneer) is used, according to him, as a hope to foster initiatives among students.
“As intellectual assets of the nation, students have a responsibility, and there is a great hope that you will be educated at UGM to become future leaders of the nation,” he expressed.
In his speech, the vice-rector provided motivation and encouragement to students to become resilient intellectuals with social concern for fellow students and society. He also hoped that students would make good use of their opportunities and time to achieve success in the future.
“The challenges are significant, but so are your opportunities for advancement. Many of your seniors pursued their studies well, persevered, and became leaders in the end,” he said.
Continuing the tradition of PPSMB, at the end of the closing ceremony, new students formed ten formations in sequence, starting with an image bearing this year’s theme and ending with a picture of Mahapatih Gajah Mada along with the words “Pionir Gadjah Mada” (Gadjah Mada’s Pioneers), followed by a celebratory dance by the participants and organizers.
Author: Gloria
Photographer: Firsto