Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) proudly ushered in 569 new engineers, marking a significant milestone in the Professional Engineer Program orchestrated by the Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Animal Science, and Faculty of Forestry.
The grand inauguration ceremony, emblematic of academic achievement and future contributions, unfolded at Grha Sabha Pramana on Tuesday (Jan. 9).
The Faculty of Engineering led the charge, inaugurating 442 new engineers, while the Faculty of Animal Science celebrated 59 new engineers, and the Faculty of Forestry welcomed 68 new engineers.
With this addition, the cumulative count of professional engineers who graduated from UGM soared to 3,838. The inauguration serves as a beacon, illuminating the path for these engineers to contribute indelibly to Indonesia’s infrastructure development.
“I congratulate the newly inaugurated engineers today; hopefully, the inauguration and certificates you carry can be used to continue to serve the country and contribute to Indonesia,” Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor Selo, expressed.
“All graduates should keep progressing because, as we all know, the development of Indonesia’s infrastructure depends significantly on the role of all graduates.”
Within the ranks of the 442 engineering graduates from the Faculty of Engineering, distinction shone bright, with 60 graduates meriting the “with honors” or cum laude predicate, 210 securing a very satisfying achievement, and 172 attaining satisfying results.
Regina Fitri Rosallini, Muhammad Yusuf Al Ghifari, Seno Alfi Syahrin, and Solikin distinguished themselves by achieving the highest GPA with a perfect score of 4.00 through the regular mode. Digna Jatiningsih earned a stellar GPA of 4.00 through the recognition of prior learning (RPL) mechanism.
From the 68 engineers celebrated by the Faculty of Forestry, 17 graduated cum laude, 34 garnered very satisfying results, and 17 achieved satisfying outcomes. Lucy Mardijana Soebijakso clinched the highest GPA for the RPL mechanism with an impressive 3.94, while Sawitri excelled through the regular mechanism with a GPA of 3.96.
The Faculty of Animal Science contributed 59 new engineers to the distinguished cohort. Of these, 47 participated through the regular mechanism and 12 through the RPL mechanism. An outstanding 23 graduates received the praise or cum laude predicate, while 13 achieved very satisfying results, and 23 secured a satisfying predicate.
Arnol Elyasar Manu achieved the highest GPA for the RPL mode with an exemplary 3.92, while Hafiz Aghna Nugroho and Shoniya Octarya exhibited academic brilliance with a perfect GPA of 4.00 through the regular mode.
I Ketut Rusnaya, a Faculty of Engineering UGM graduate representative, expressed profound gratitude for being inaugurated as an engineer. He emphasized the enduring spirit of pursuing engineering education, emphasizing that this spirit must be ardently maintained despite his age.
For Rusnaya, the inauguration signifies more than the acquisition of titles—it symbolizes the attainment of legal standing, officially entitling the graduates to hold the esteemed professional engineer title in their respective fields.
Looking ahead, Rusnaya envisions an optimized role and contribution with a profound sense of responsibility for the community, the nation, and the country.
Dean Sigit Sunarta from the Faculty of Forestry acknowledged that the current count of 3,838 engineering alumni is commendable, yet the journey is far from over.
The percentage of professional engineers in Indonesia remains disproportionately small relative to the nation’s population.
Nonetheless, each graduation, such as this one, is a cause for celebration as it contributes valuable professionals to bolster the government’s development initiatives and elevate societal welfare.
“Congratulations to the new engineers on their inauguration today; hopefully, they can soon make a real contribution to the development of this country by always upholding nobility, integrity, professional responsibility, and professionalism based on the engineer’s code of ethics,” Dr. Sunarta conveyed.
In academic progression, UGM is at the forefront, currently implementing a 24-credit study load for the Professional Engineer Program.
Dean Sunarta acknowledged the need for adjustments following Minister of Education and Culture Regulation No. 53 of 2023, which prescribes a 36-credit study load for the Professional Engineer Program.
This necessitates the formulation of a new curriculum aligning with the ministerial regulation. This collective challenge invites input from various stakeholders, including the Indonesian Engineers Association (PII) and industry practitioners.
“All input is needed to ensure a better professional program curriculum and produce increasingly quality graduates,” he emphasized.
Bambang Guritno, Secretary-General of PII, injected a note of jubilation into the proceedings, hailing the inauguration of new engineer graduates as a momentous and historic day.
Choosing the engineering profession is a testament to their commitment to professionalism—an unwavering dedication to providing the best service or work, aligning with one’s expertise and competence.
“I think the community will benefit from engineers who always work hard and smart based on science and technology,” he opined.
Addressing the newly minted professional engineers, Bambang Guritno urged them not to be arbitrary, emphasizing the need to maintain integrity and a keen eye on environmental and public interests.
Professionalism, he stressed, is a behavioral trait, a showcase of a person’s quality, and all professional actions must be enveloped in professional ethics, a facet instilled during the professional program.
“Congratulations once again, and best wishes for the graduates’ success in consistently carrying out their duties and adhering to their professional oath. The success of attending this program is not only for the present but more on the next role that concerns credibility and professionalism,” he concluded.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photographer: Donnie Trisfian