The demand for professional expertise in nutrition is growing as public health challenges become increasingly complex. Addressing this need, the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing of Universitas Gadjah Mada (FK-KMK UGM) has graduated 33 new dietitians through its Professional Dietitian Education Program.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Tuesday (Jul. 22) at the FK-KMK UGM Auditorium. The graduates are expected to strengthen clinical and community nutrition services across various levels of the national health system.
Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs of FK-KMK UGM, Dr. Ahmad Hamim Sadewa, emphasized that UGM-trained dietitians must contribute tangibly to society in line with the university’s people-centered spirit.
He urged graduates to be more attentive to nutrition issues faced by communities, including the high prevalence of stunting. According to Dr. Sadewa, dietitians play a vital role in nutrition education and community empowerment.
“In particular, there is still a great deal of nutritional content that does not align with scientific standards, which is why nutrition literacy must be continuously strengthened and improved,” he said.
Head of the Professional Dietitian Education Program, Dr. Tony Arjuna, reported that this year’s 33 graduates achieved commendable academic performance with an average GPA of 3.7. The graduates are also relatively young, with an average age of 25 and the youngest being 23.
The average study duration was 1 year and 4 months, reflecting an efficient and well-directed educational process. Dr. Arjuna expressed his hope that the graduates will become pioneers in advancing evidence-based nutrition services.
“With today’s addition of 33 dietitians, the program has now graduated a total of 345 dietitians,” he stated.
An alumna currently serving at UGM Academic Hospital (RSA UGM), Pratiwi Dinia Sari, delivered an inspiring message to the new graduates. She emphasized the importance of lifelong learning in light of the rapid advancements in nutritional science.
Sari also reminded graduates that ethics and empathy are fundamental to professional practice. Additionally, she underscored the importance of communication and collaboration skills as the key to successful teamwork.
“High knowledge is meaningless without a wise heart,” she remarked.
Representing the newly inaugurated dietitians, Sifa Aulia Wicaksari shared her reflections on the educational journey that shaped her character and professional values. She emphasized that becoming a dietitian is not only about mastering theory, but also about cultivating discipline, patience, honesty, and empathy.
Wicaksari, who achieved the highest GPA among the graduates, encouraged her peers to be truly present within the public health system. She expressed hope that the dietitian profession would serve as the frontline in safeguarding nutritional health through holistic and human-centered approaches.
As an institution committed to knowledge and service, UGM continues to dedicate itself to producing professionals equipped to address public health challenges. Through integrated training that combines theory and practice, UGM expects its newly inaugurated dietitians to serve as agents of change in nutrition and health.
The addition of these nutrition experts represents UGM’s concrete contribution to strengthening national health resilience while expanding public access to quality, research-based nutrition services.
Author: Lazuardi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photographs: FK-KMK UGM