Wednesday, July 24, 2024, The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, held a Graduation Ceremony for the Postgraduate Program 2023/2024 period IV at 01.00 p.m.. The event attended by the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc., the Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources, Dr. Slamet Widianto, S.Si., M.Sc., the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, S.Si., M.App.Sc., the Head of Master in Biology Study Program, Dr.rer.nat. Andhika Puspito Nugroho, S.Si., M.Si., and the Head of Doctor in Biology Study Program, Prof. Dr. Endah Retnaningrum, M.Eng.. The ceremony was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Biology Prof. Dr. Budi Setyadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., and followed by singing Indonesia Raya, Hymne Gadjah Mada, and Faculty of Biology March. The event continued with performances of the traditional dance “Golek Ayun-Ayun” from Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta.
Then, the graduation report was delivered by the Head of Doctor in Biology Study Program, Prof. Dr. Endah Retnaningrum, M.Eng.. Up to this period, the Postgraduate program of Biology UGM had graduated 136 doctoral students and 1729 master students. In the IV Period of Academic Year 2023/2024, there were 14 graduates for the master program with 11 graduates with cumlaude predicates. The average length of study was one year and 11 months eighteen days, with an average GPA of 3.84. The highest GPA was obtained by Shela Delfia Ramadhana, S.Pd., M.Sc. with a GPA of 3.98, meanwhile, the graduate with the fastest completion time was Siti Shofa Assyifa’ul Qulbi Barid, S.Pd., M.Sc., with a study period of 1 year, 4 months, and 7 days.
Next, there was a reading of the graduate’s graduation results. Furthermore, there was a speech by representatives of the graduates Shofa Assyifa’ul Qulbi Barid, S.Pd., M.Sc. She expressed that the Faculty of Biology has become a second home for graduates to gain knowledge, engage in discussions, serve the community, and conduct scientific research to uphold the Tri Dharma of higher education. On behalf of the graduates, she thanked everyone who supported them through the challenges of postgraduate life. She also apologized for any mistakes made during their studies. She extended heartfelt gratitude to the parents and families of the graduates for their sacrifices and prayers. She noted that this graduation is not the pinnacle of achievement but a small token of appreciation for the parents’ hard work and love. She also thanked friends and companions who added color to their lives. With this graduation, their moral responsibility for their degree increases. She ended her speech by asking for prayers and support for their future endeavors.
The ceremony continued with a remark from the representative of the parents, Captain Bambang Lasito, M.Mar., father of Shela Delfia Ramadhana, S.Pd., M.Sc.. He congratulated and praised the graduates for completing their study with exceptional excellence. He expressed pride in their achievements, which reflect their commitment to knowledge and education. He thanks the lecturers, especially the advisors, for their dedication and the life lessons imparted to the graduates. He also thanked the Faculty of Biology staff for their support and services, which enabled their children to complete their postgraduate studies smoothly. His message to the graduates was to remain humble with their new titles and knowledge, continue learning and innovating for the benefit of society and the nation, and always support and pray for their success. He reminded them that their success was the beginning of future achievements and hoped that Allah SWT would always guide and protect them.
The ceremony continued with a pin awarding as a sign of membership in the Faculty of Biology Family by the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, S.Si., M.App.Sc., represented by graduates Adam Astiti, S.Si., M.Sc., and Arinda Widi Antari, S.Pd., M.Sc. Following that was a speech by the Dean, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. He congratulated the graduates and their parents. Not all parents can afford to educate their children to the level of a master’s. He cited the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on July 2, which highlighted Indonesia’s demographic trend where there used to be a shortage of S1 degree holders, but now the number of S2 graduates is increasing. S2 graduates, especially from UGM’s accredited Faculty of Biology, are in demand by various institutions, including government, private sectors, and higher education institutions. The faculty’s unique offerings, such as the Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree and publications, provide graduates with a competitive edge. He also mentioned that the faculty offers two further study options: a professional program for biodiversity curatorship, the only one in Asia and Indonesia, addressing environmental and biomedical challenges, and a doctoral program in biology. He emphasized the importance of maintaining ethics and morals and respecting parents. He concluded by expressing gratitude to the lecturers and educational staff for their dedication and prayed for the graduate’s success and benefits to society.
The event continued with a presentation of mementos from the graduates of Period IV, Academic Year 2023/2024, represented by Wildan Alfian Fahmi, S.Si., M.Sc., to the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM. The ceremony ended with a prayer by Mr. Sumarno, S.Si., M.Sc., and a group photo. [Author: KMP Biology]