On Monday, July 22, 2024, The Faculty of Biology conducted an introduction to KABIOGAMA and a Tracer Study for prospective graduates of the Postgraduate Program for the fourth period of the 2023/2024 academic year. The event was held online and featured Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. as a speaker. She opened the event by congratulating and wishing success to the prospective graduates who had completed their studies. She congratulates their upcoming official induction into the Alumni Family of Universitas Gadjah Mada (KAGAMA) and the Alumni Family of the Faculty of Biology UGM (KABIOGAMA), one of Indonesia’s largest alumni communities. She provided an overview of KABIOGAMA, including the meaning of the KABIOGAMA logo, vision and mission, organizational structure, and regional coordinators available to assist alumni in their hometowns. Mrs. Ganies highlighted several activities actively conducted by KABIOGAMA, such as the “bela beli bolo” initiative (purchasing alumni products), scientific writing seminars, webinars, alumni training, and alumni teaching programs.
In addition to academic activities, KABIOGAMA has contributed to the Faculty of Biology by providing aid, such as assistance for Semeru victims and support for Biology students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Contributions have also been made towards building facilities like the Al Hayat Mosque, the Sinar Mas Building, the Kabiogama Pavilion, and supporting activities of KAGAMA, the Faculty of Biology UGM, and the Indonesia Biologist Association. KABIOGAMA also organizes annual alumni reunions.
The second part of the session involved the introduction of UGM’s Tracer Study. Mrs. Ganies explained that in the following year, the faculty would contact the graduates to participate in the Tracer Study. The Tracer Study aimed to improve the curriculum, gather information from alumna on their competency development, inventory the benefits gained by alumna, and track their employment status, job fields, and job levels. Through the Tracer Study, it hoped that alumni could provide feedback on the curriculum’s flexibility at the Faculty of Biology. She also discussed the key performance indicators for higher education institutions, the mechanism for completing the Tracer Study, and the IKU 1 Tracer Study UGM 2024 achievement guidelines.
Mrs. Ganies highlighted UGM’s global reputation, ranking 231st in the World University Rankings for 2023. As a prospective alumni, she encouraged all graduates to join the Simponi platform through SIMASTER, connect with KABIOGAMA’s social media accounts such as Facebook and Instagram, and maintain ties with the Faculty of Biology UGM. During the discussion session, she mentioned that UGM has a career center specifically for the Biology program, which includes the Biology Career and Alumni Development Centre (BCADC) website integrated with Facebook and the Simponi web portal. This platform provides alumni with job and career-related information, usually disseminated via individual emails.
Additionally, Mrs. Ganies emphasized the importance of relationships and collaboration as alumni. She noted that information stems from networks built through cooperation and connections, which can serve as a valuable resource for advancing further. Alumna should leverage information systems, knowledge, and technology to enhance access to information. Collaboration and networking expand the potential benefits, aligning with the motto “Ngawiji wiguanani,” which means “Let us unite to mutually benefit and support each other,” not just for personal but for broader benefits through mutual support and assistance. She also reminded alumna not to hide behind UGM’s prestigious name but to demonstrate their competence and potential to compete with graduates from other universities. Alumna should be confident, leading the way, and upholding UGM’s values and integrity in their professional lives. [Author: KMP Biologi]