The average study period for the doctoral program was 4 years and 8 months, and six graduates earned a perfect GPA of 4.00. 

One of these graduates is Yudi Sapta Pranoto (45), a Development Counseling and Communication Program graduate at UGM’s Graduate School (SPs). He completed his studies in 3 years, 1 month, and 14 days.

Dr. Pranoto expressed his gratitude for completing his Ph.D. with outstanding academic achievement. He could not stop expressing his thankfulness and joy. 

“I feel emotional, happy, and deeply grateful for His grace that allowed me to finish my studies on time,” he said on Friday (Jan. 31).

Dr. Pranoto, a lecturer in the Agribusiness Program at the Faculty of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Marine Sciences, Universitas Bangka Belitung, shared his journey to studying in his current program. 

While studying at SPs UGM, he received an institutional education scholarship from Universitas Bangka Belitung for his second year until completion. However, this was not an easy feat. 

Dr. Pranoto mentioned that in 2021, he applied for the Indonesia Education Scholarship (BPI) but was rejected because the age requirement for applicants was no more than 40 years old. 

As Dr. Pranoto was already 41, he was ineligible for the scholarship. Nonetheless, this setback did not dampen his spirit.

After this failure, Dr. Pranoto initiated a group for his fellow doctoral students who shared the same fate. He created a WhatsApp group called “UGM Doctoral Studies Association.” The group fought for the rights of those who were ineligible for scholarships. 

Dr. Pranoto made various efforts, including writing a letter to the UGM Rector and seeking support to advocate their case to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. 

“Unfortunately, that did not yield any response,” he recalled.

Subsequently, as this became a collective issue, it turned into a national matter. Many other doctoral students from different universities experienced the same situation. This shared struggle became the foundation for a joint effort among doctoral students across Indonesia. 

“We held meetings with Commission X, the Education Commission, facilitated by the PKS faction in the House of Representatives (DPR RI). In short, the result of these discussions was that the BPI age requirement was raised to 48 years,” he explained.

Dr. Pranoto also added that besides the increase in the applicant age limit from 40 to 48 years, the 2022 BPI scholarship requirements stated that the scholarship was available for students who were still enrolled in the even semester of the 2021/2022 academic year. 

As a result, students who had already started their studies in the odd semester of 2021 were not eligible to apply for the 2022 BPI scholarship, causing Dr. Pranoto to fail once again in securing the scholarship.

However, he viewed this as a lesson that not all struggles bring immediate personal rewards; what matters is that others enjoy the benefits of the battle. 

In his second year, the Universitas Bangka Belitung Rector’s policy in 2022 offered financial support until his studies were completed, easing the burden of his tuition fees.

His dedication to helping others was reflected in his dissertation, “Determinants of Agricultural Extension Workers’ Role in Implementing Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for Muntok White Pepper in Bangka Belitung.” He discussed the role of extension workers and farmers’ implementation of GAPs.

According to him, Bangka Belitung Province produces one of the world’s finest spices, known as Muntok White Pepper. 

“This pepper has a distinctive aroma and high piperine content compared to other types of pepper globally and has been cultivated since the 18th century,” he explained enthusiastically.

Unfortunately, the production and export of this pepper have fluctuated, with a declining trend. One of the complex challenges is that farmers still use traditional methods and have not adopted proper GAP. 

He explained that this issue is driven by the farmers’ lack of knowledge about GAP and the suboptimal role of extension workers.

Dr. Pranoto appreciated the full support from his advisors during the dissertation writing process. They were easily accessible and had regular weekly meetings.

He also encouraged fellow students at UGM to stay motivated and not give up. 

“With every difficulty, there is ease, and always maintain a positive outlook toward God and pray for everyone,” he advised.

In addition to offering encouragement to fellow UGM students, Dr. Pranoto hopes that UGM will continue to pioneer education based on knowledge and community service while maintaining its tradition of academic excellence and strengthening its global network. 

“At UGM, we are trained to think critically, innovate, and act with integrity. These values become the foundation for serving society, the nation, and the country,” he concluded.

Author: Leony

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel Doctoral Graduate Fights for Scholarship Age Limit Reform, Helps Others Succeed pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

He observed that many of his friends loved dim sum but struggled to find a restaurant that offered both satisfying flavors and affordable prices. This insight inspired him to start his own restaurant to fill that gap in the market.

Buyung, an alumnus of the International Undergraduate Program (IUP) in Management, UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM), class of 2019, acknowledged that his success in building this business went through a long process. He started the venture while still a student. 

“It was exactly in 2020 when I began this business with my classmate, Ian Wirawan Jamesie,” he said on Thursday (Jan. 30).

According to Buyung, his long-standing dream was to venture into the restaurant business. With dedication, the business has grown, and it now has four branches in three major cities: Yogyakarta, Semarang, and Solo.

Buyung explained that developing Taigersprung emerged from a dim sum food market gap. 

“That’s where the idea came from to open a dim sum restaurant that tasted good and was affordable for students,” he explained.

Buyung admitted that he had a strong entrepreneurial spirit because he came from a family of entrepreneurs, making him quite familiar with how to run a business. 

However, he also acknowledged that building Taigersprung was not always smooth. In fact, he had to face challenges in the early stages of its establishment. The early days of Taigersprung’s business coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Founded in April 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our sales faced challenges due to activity restrictions and public concerns about purchasing food from outside,” Buyung shared.

He devised a strategy to maintain the business’s sustainability in an emergency situation. As the CEO of Taigersprung, he and Ian decided to cut operational costs. 

Another decision was not to reduce employee salaries; instead, they chose not to take their own salaries for the first four months. 

In addition, they shared many tasks. Some of the tasks, such as purchasing raw materials at the market and acting as the cashier, they did themselves. 

“The lowest point was during COVID because many people were reluctant to eat out or order food through delivery services. At that time, we knew sales wouldn’t go up, so we eventually decided to cut operational costs,” Buyung recalled.

Managing both studies and business simultaneously was certainly not easy. However, Buyung was grateful he did not struggle to balance his time between studying and running the business. 

He was also thankful that learning was conducted online during the pandemic. This allowed him the flexibility to attend online classes while managing the restaurant. 

“The challenge of balancing academic activities and running the restaurant lasted 2-3 months during the initial stages. The toughest challenge was when we had to cut operational costs,” Buyung explained.

The CEO repeatedly expressed gratitude for the opportunity to study at FEB UGM. He mentioned that he was able to apply the knowledge he gained in college to support his business journey. 

Many courses were highly relevant to developing his business, including consumer behavior. 

The knowledge from this course greatly helped him create an Ideal Customer Avatar (ICA), a profile detailing the ideal characteristics of a business’s consumer, such as demographics, psychographics, behavior, needs, and challenges.

By understanding the Ideal Customer Avatar (ICA), Buyung was able to develop the menu and business strategy for Taigersprung more efficiently without needing to conduct time-intensive and cost-intensive research. 

For this reason, he also advised those wanting to start a business to be brave enough to take the first step.

According to Buyung, it is crucial to cultivate optimism when starting a business—optimism that is not overly excessive. 

“In the future, I hope this business will have a broader positive impact on society, especially the customers and employees. I want to give back to society and create job opportunities. Currently, there are 75 employees at Taigersprung, and they motivate us to grow even bigger,” he concluded.

Repoters: FEB UGM/Najwah Ariella Puteri & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel Buyung Samudra’s Success Story: Balancing College and Business to Build Dim Sum Restaurant Taigersprung pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

In addition, this student and alumni community also conducted technical training on seedlings in the coastal sandy farmland area of Karanganyar Hamlet, Sanden District, Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta.

Chairina Indita, the AGISS project manager, also stated that the inauguration of the seedling house is an initial step to promote the independence of agricultural seedlings in coastal sandy lands. 

“This seedling house can bring positive and sustainable changes for farmers in coastal sandy land areas, supporting seedling independence, enhancing productivity, and improving the welfare of farmers in the Sanden area,” Indita said in a statement sent to reporters on Wednesday (Jan. 29).

Indita explained that the Pertamina Foundation supported the inauguration of AGISS through the 2024 PFmuda Program as part of its efforts to support the development of integrated agriculture. 

The seedling house’s construction took about one month. Its aim was to create a facility for intensifying seedlings for superior commodities. 

“We hope this one-month process will create a more efficient seedling process,” she said.

Moreover, Agroritma is committed to continuing to collaborate with various parties to deliver other innovative solutions in the future.

Representatives from Agroritma, the Pasir Makmur Farmers Group, and the Subur Makmur Women’s Farmer Group symbolically inaugurated this agricultural commodity seedling house by signing an AGISS integrity pact.

Dwi, the coordinator of the Agricultural Extension Center in Sanden District, said that seedling houses have always been challenged by the heat from ultraviolet rays. 

“This challenge has been addressed through AGISS, which has been equipped with a mist irrigation system to counteract the hot air that damages the seedlings. Hopefully, this will be beneficial and improve agricultural productivity in sandy land areas,” he said.

Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM Establishes Seedling House in Sanden Coastal Area pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Among the 691 master’s graduates, seven achieved a perfect cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 4.00, including Muhammad Qowiyul Amin.

Qowi, as he is commonly known, graduated from the Master’s Program in Pharmaceutical Management at the Faculty of Pharmacy at UGM. 

He achieved a perfect GPA and completed his master’s program in just 1 year and 2 months, much faster than the average master’s student, who usually takes 2 years and 2 months to finish. 

According to him, there’s no special secret or tips to finishing quickly and perfectly. 

“I don’t have a specific way of managing my time, but whenever the lecturer gives an assignment, I try to complete it immediately and do my best,” said Qowi.

In his view, preparation starts early in the course by setting achievement targets that allow students to estimate their graduation timeline.

Originally from Semarang, Central Java, Qowi was also an undergraduate at UGM, majoring in Pharmacy. 

His dream of studying at UGM began when he was young. He became interested in the pharmaceutical management program because he wanted to delve deeper into social pharmacy and management, fields in which UGM is a pioneer.

Studying at UGM has taught Qowi many things, such as introducing him to students from various regions across Indonesia and expanding his network. 

“I also got to know highly competent lecturers in their fields and, of course, UGM’s abundant resources and facilities,” he added.

During his studies, Qowi made full use of the available facilities, successfully publishing a journal article in Scopus and participating in a conference in Thailand. 

He shared that one of his lecturers invited him to attend the conference. The experience was enjoyable for him, as it broadened his knowledge of global research and allowed him to meet productive peers.

However, Qowi’s journey was not without challenges. In the early stages of his studies, he found it difficult to keep up with the assigned tasks while also having to submit an accepted publication. 

“At the same time, I also had to prepare a research topic that aligned my thesis with my dissertation,” he explained.

Qowi managed to overcome all these challenges. Now, he is continuing his focus on doctoral studies, which he has pursued for two semesters as part of the fast-track program. 

He hopes to graduate on time, have his research published, and have the research process go smoothly. To fellow students aspiring for a perfect GPA, Qowi advised preparing early in the course. 

“At the start of the course, understand the grading components explained by the lecturer so you can figure out how to get an A. Be active in class and engage in discussions,” he concluded.

Author: Lazuardi

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel Muhammad Qowiyul Amin Shares Study Tips on Completing UGM Master’s in Just 14 Months with Perfect GPA pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

He smiled as he stepped up to receive his diploma at the 2024/2025 academic year graduation ceremony, held on Thursday (Jan. 23) at Grha Sabha Pramana. 

Kurniawan completed his program at FEB UGM in 1 year and 4 months, whereas the average duration of study for the program is 2 years and 2 months.

With a professional background in the Human Resources Bureau of the Ministry of Finance, Kurniawan pursued further education to address the gaps in his competencies. 

After completing an associate degree in Accounting at the State College of Accountancy (STAN) and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting at Hasanuddin University, he worked for over a decade focusing on human resource management. 

He eventually enrolled in the MBA FEB UGM program, concentrating on Human Resources and Organization. 

“I hope this aligns with my future goal of becoming a human resource analyst for the Ministry of Finance,” he explained.

Kurniawan admitted that his previous educational background was quite different from his work tasks. Therefore, he applied a learning-by-doing approach while working. 

Studying at FEB UGM, he found it helpful to review whether his work practices aligned with the theories he learned in class.

Reflecting on his experience at MBA FEB UGM, Kurniawan emphasized that the curriculum is highly relevant to the professional world. 

The curriculum focuses on theory and requires students to engage in practical experiences, such as immersion programs and social projects. 

“At the time, I worked with a small business in Gunungkidul and participated in a social project at an elementary school in Bantul. So, my studies weren’t just about learning theory; I also gained many experiences and soft skills, especially in entrepreneurship and human resource management,” he shared.

When Kurniawan began his studies at UGM, he initially lacked confidence. He admitted he wasn’t used to giving presentations or expressing his ideas. 

“Having to present almost every day while studying at MBA FEB UGM boosted my confidence. My communication and negotiation skills improved because I got used to practicing them,” he said.

The final project was particularly challenging for him. He felt that there were many subjects he hadn’t mastered, and one of the biggest obstacles was mastering the statistics course.

Additionally, he had to learn quantitative research methods from scratch. This was vastly different from his experience during his associate and bachelor’s programs, where he primarily used qualitative analysis.

“Of course, I needed other people to share knowledge with, so I utilized the discussion rooms to share and learn from my classmates. Fortunately, the lecturers were very supportive; they were always open to answering questions whenever we had questions,” Kurniawan explained.

Although his study routine of reading books and journals and giving presentations was exhausting, Kurniawan remained motivated. He sought a support system to help him maintain his enthusiasm. 

“Humans are social beings who cannot live alone. In my opinion, having a support system is essential, whether it’s parents, friends, or the surrounding environment, both in college and at work,” he added.

Kurniawan also credited the culture of Yogyakarta and UGM with making him enjoy his time studying there. The fellowship among students was a new experience for him. 

“My classmates were generous with their knowledge. They were very open to sharing, and there was no individualism. This was a memorable experience for me—supporting one another and competing healthily through our achievements,” he said.

Reflecting on his success, Kurniawan offered some tips for academic achievement. He emphasized the importance of building good relationships with everyone, including senior and junior lecturers and classmates. 

“There is a wide range of expertise at MBA FEB UGM, so some students excel in certain fields while others may not. From here, I had many discussions and knowledge exchanges with them,” he explained.

Kurniawan always tried to maintain a positive mindset to help him think mindfully. He learned not to push himself too hard by focusing on what he could control and not forcing himself into situations beyond his control.

“In life, I’ve learned that there are things within my control and things beyond my control. I try to maximize what I can control and ignore what I can’t. If I focus too much on things beyond my control, I get burned out and lose focus on studying,” he elaborated.

He still remembers taking the Strategic Management course at the start of his studies. Dr. Rangga Almahendra, the lecturer, gave him valuable insight. 

“Life is not just about chasing dreams but also about leaving a legacy and being beneficial to others,” he recalled.

Reporter: FEB UGM/Shofi Hawa Anjani & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel Ministry of Finance HR Professional Ilham Budi Kurniawan Excels as UGM’s Top MBA Graduate pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Saviola graduated from the Master’s Program in Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA UGM), at the age of 22 years, 6 months, and 18 days. 

In comparison, the average age of the 691 Master’s graduates in this period was 29 years, 6 months, and 15 days.

In addition to being the youngest graduate, Saviola was also one of two individuals recognized as the fastest Master’s graduate in this period. While the average study duration for a Master’s program is 2 years and 2 months, Saviola completed his studies in just 1 year and 2 months.

Saviola explained that he completed his undergraduate studies at FMIPA UGM in May 2023. 

After earning his bachelor’s degree, he sought an opportunity to apply for the Master’s Education Scholarship towards a Doctorate for Outstanding Graduates (PMDSU) Batch 7 from the then Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. 

This prestigious scholarship enables outstanding graduates to complete their Master’s and Doctoral degrees within four years.

Born in Purwokerto on Mar. 27, 2002, Saviola expressed joy and gratitude for completing two study programs while remaining active in social activities and research. 

“I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to receive this scholarship,” said Saviola.

The fast-track requirement to complete the Master’s and Doctoral degrees within four years motivated him to finish his studies as quickly as possible. Simultaneously, Saviola completed his thesis while also enrolled in the doctoral program at the same faculty.

Saviola’s passion and talent in chemistry enabled him to produce innovative research, particularly focused on the development of nanocatalysts for biofuel production. 

His thesis research was motivated by the continued high use of fossil fuels for aviation fuel.

“I tried to develop bio-aviation fuel from biomass sources, specifically used cooking oil, which is not only abundant in nature but also represents a waste-to-wealth innovation aimed at preserving the environment,” Saviola explained.

Saviola’s research on the hydrotreatment process successfully converted used cooking oil into bio-aviation fuel with a chemical composition very similar to fossil-based aviation fuel. 

Over the past three years, Saviola’s work on nanocatalyst development has resulted in several research publications, many of which have been published in international journals. To date, he has 26 Scopus-indexed journal publications. 

“I believe this is an incredible achievement for me. Hopefully, in the future, I can be even more productive and produce more work,” said the youngest of two siblings.

Saviola hopes his research can become an alternative to support the transition to greener energy processes, considering the government’s and global consensus’s ongoing efforts to address climate change. 

“While the research still requires further evaluation and development, I hope this innovation can eventually be applied on an industrial scale,” he added.

When asked about his experience studying at UGM, Saviola said that he was confident in his choice from the beginning.

“Without a doubt, since my undergraduate years, I chose FMIPA UGM’s Department of Chemistry as my first love through the academic excellence-based entrance selection (SNMPTN) pathway,” he revealed.

The study program he chose is accredited internationally and has experts in the field, ensuring a high-quality education. 

“The quality of knowledge imparted to students is excellent, and as a result, I decided to stay at UGM for my doctoral studies,” he emphasized.

According to him, FMIPA UGM offers various facilities and a conducive environment to support student learning. 

For those looking to graduate quickly with outstanding achievements, Saviola advises both undergraduate and postgraduate students to manage their time as best as possible. 

“We need to be diligent, persistent, and meticulous in conducting research, as these are key factors in graduating with the best achievements,” he concluded.

Author: Tasya

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM Chemistry Graduate Aldino Javier Saviola Completes Studies at 22, Develops Nanocatalysts for Bio-Aviation Fuel pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The Mechanical Engineering alumnus of UGM recounted his career journey, rising from an entry-level employee to becoming the marketing director of a major automobile trading company.

Suwandy emphasized that graduates should choose workplaces with values that promote growth in a positive environment. As a 1995 graduate of Mechanical Engineering, he credited his career success to the company’s values. 

“Two principles I always hold onto are the willingness to improve and respect for people. These philosophies have helped me identify opportunities and continuously grow,” he said.

He explained that career success depends not solely on technical skills but also on the values and mindset applied at work. 

He stressed the importance of maintaining good relationships with customers and the surrounding environment, as trust is the cornerstone of the professional world.

For Suwandy, providing excellent service is about offering products and creating sustainable value. He encouraged graduates from all UGM programs to believe in their abilities and aim high. 

“We need to be confident and continuously strive for self-improvement because competition will always be there,” he advised.

Dr. Wirastuti Widyatmanti, Head of UGM’s Strategic Management Bureau, echoed these sentiments. She urged graduates to be confident and strive to make a tangible contribution in various sectors. 

She also highlighted the importance of the Kagama alumni network as a vital asset for maximizing career opportunities. 

“We encourage prospective alumni to remain confident, keep learning, and prove that UGM graduates can achieve brilliant careers,” she said.

Destina Kawanti, Deputy Secretary General of Kagama, delivered a similar message, reminding graduates that their academic achievements come with great responsibility. 

She emphasized that Kagama is not just an alumni community but a family ready to support and collaborate. 

“We are all the face of UGM in society, so carry the good name of this alma mater to both national and international levels,” she urged.

Through this briefing session, UGM encouraged its prospective graduates to recognize the significant potential they possess as UGM alumni. 

Graduates were inspired to pursue personal success and make a positive impact on society. UGM hopes this moment will equip them to face a future full of opportunities.

Author: Bolivia

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Photographer: Donnie

Artikel Toyota Astra Motor Marketing Director Anton Jimmi Suwandy Shares Career Success Tips pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Gerry, as he is commonly called, arrived in Antarctica as part of the Russian Antarctica Expedition (RAE) mission, which took place from February to July 2024. 

At the time, Gerry was pursuing a Master’s program in Paleogeography at Saint Petersburg State University, Russia. 

“From the beginning of my studies, I was already offered to join the program, but we had to know what we would be researching,” said Gerry Wednesday (Jan. 22).

He chose to specialize in geomorphology and was an expert in radar interpretation. His participation in the Antarctica expedition made Gerry the first Indonesian and ASEAN national to join the RAE, which has been running for 69 editions. 

He departed with the RAE team aboard the Russian research vessel Akademik Tyroshnikov. The ship sailed for three weeks, stopping briefly in Cape Town, South Africa, before continuing to Antarctica.

Gerry and the RAE team were required to use helicopters for mobilization, with the research team returning to the ship daily. He was stationed at Mirny Station, one of the oldest monitoring stations in Antarctica.

Gerry’s research involved reconstructing a new atlas of King George Island for the Russian government. 

He simplified existing variables into geomorphological mapping that could be applied with specific characteristics. In addition, Gerry and his team discovered a 130-million-year-old wooden fossil. 

“This can prove that Antarctica was once covered in greenery, just like other parts of the Earth,” said the Geography and Environmental Science alumnus.

The unpredictable conditions in Antarctica required careful work planning. According to Gerry, even shower schedules had to be regulated, and time was reset daily, meaning the day’s hours could shift forward or backward. 

Gerry added that the direction of the Qibla also changed daily. Strong winds reaching up to 300 km/h further aggravated these conditions, often forcing Gerry and his team to spend nights at the station.

Dr. Nugroho Imam Setiawan, a lecturer in the Department of Geological Engineering at UGM, also faced challenges during his exploration of Antarctica from November 2016 to March 2017. 

Dr. Nugroho, as we refer to him, often experienced persistent itching and had to take daily medication to prevent allergic reactions. The situation worsened due to the absence of heating in the tents, which forced him to wear three layers of clothing at all times.

“We couldn’t even take a shower,” Dr. Nugroho joked.

Even the feces produced had to be brought back, as the extreme temperatures prevented decomposer bacteria from surviving. The feces were later brought back to the ship and incinerated.

Dr. Nugroho never imagined he would set foot on the southernmost continent on Earth. His journey began in 2010 when he pursued his PhD in Japan. 

Japan, a country that regularly conducts expeditions and invites other Asian researchers to Antarctica through the Japan Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE), presented this opportunity. 

He applied to the program in 2011, but it was canceled after the March 2011 tsunami struck Japan. 

“I had already applied, but the program was closed, and the funds were redirected for post-tsunami recovery,” said Dr. Nugroho.

He was only contacted again in 2015, after completing his doctoral program, and promptly underwent a selection process involving an interview and health check. He then joined five Japanese researchers and two others from Mongolia and Thailand.

Being a researcher in Antarctica meant preparing for all possible scenarios. For a month, he underwent intensive training on using equipment in the snow, dressing appropriately, surviving in emergencies, setting up tents, cooking, and managing sanitation.

Antarctica’s conditions are vastly different from those found anywhere else in the world. He remembered Antarctica as not feeling like part of Earth due to its pristine whiteness stretching as far as the eye can see.

“I joined an eight-member geology team. At that time, Antarctica was in summer, so the sun shone 24 hours a day, with nighttime temperatures of around -5 degrees and daytime temperatures of -2 degrees,” he recalled.

The silence added to the surreal atmosphere. Dr. Nugroho remembered hearing only his team’s voices and the sounds of melting ice due to climate change, occasionally encountering penguins and Weddell seals.

The entire JARE 58 team comprised 80 members, 35 of whom were researchers. The research was divided into ten topics: meteorology, atmospheric science, terrestrial biology, oceanography, geophysics, geodesy, and geology. The study lasted four months, from Nov. 27, 2016, to Mar. 22, 2017. 

However, according to Dr. Nugroho, effective research could only take place for 30 days due to the extreme weather conditions. Frequent windstorms forced the research team to wait for better conditions.

Dr. Nugroho explained that the geology team’s daily routine involved collecting metamorphic rock samples from various research locations. They explored eight geological survey points: Akebono, Akarui, Tenmodai, Skallevikhalsen, Rundvageshtta, Langdove, West Ogul, and Mt. Riiser Larsen. 

“We sought to uncover metamorphic rocks, the oldest rocks on Earth, dating back 3.8 billion years, found in Antarctica. We aimed to reconstruct and detail previously existing data on Antarctica’s metamorphic rocks, including their composition, age, and the processes that formed them,” he explained.

During the expedition, he encountered only two types of rocks at the research locations: metamorphic and granitoid rocks, or a combination of both, known as migmatite. Rocks with a honeycomb structure, formed by wind erosion in the dry climate, were also commonly found. 

Dr. Nugroho noted that the rocks he found were similar to those in Sri Lanka. According to him, Antarctica and Sri Lanka once comprised the same landmass.

Gerry and Dr. Nugroho’s participation in exploring Antarctica as UGM alumni marks their names in history, as only four Indonesians have ever set foot there. 

This notable achievement contributes to UGM’s vision of becoming a global university. Both expressed hope that their efforts would not end with them. 

“I hope other UGM friends can continue to Antarctica,” Gerry said.

He also hoped that the Indonesian government would take an interest in Antarctica, which is located in the same ocean as Indonesia. He mentioned that everyone needs to know that when Antarctica faces challenges, the whole world, including Indonesia, will be indirectly affected. 

Therefore, Indonesia should establish a dedicated Antarctic research institution to be present and directly study Antarctica.

Echoing Gerry’s sentiments, Dr. Nugroho urged UGM and Indonesia to respond quickly to strategic issues like geopolitics and climate change, which are closely linked to Antarctica’s current existence. 

“Antarctica is like a time machine that stores the Earth’s past and could provide information to address future challenges, so we need to be prepared,” Dr. Nugroho concluded.

Author: Lazuardi

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photos: Gerry & Nugroho

Artikel UGM Alumni Gerry & Nugroho Advance Research Through Antarctica Exploration pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

During the meeting, various activities of Kagama Singapore were shared, highlighting the successful gathering of 200 Kagama members who are connected through online communication.

The Chair of Kagama Singapore, Reynilda Hendryati, familiarly known as Rere, recounted the history of Kagama Singapore’s formation, which started from the desire to unite UGM alumni residing in Singapore. Today, more than 200 members have joined the WhatsApp group. 

“We have gathered around 200 UGM alumni here,” she said.

Rere mentioned that Kagama Singapore’s management was formed in 2021 and has been running various programs, including acting as facilitators in Inspiration Classes for students at the Indonesian School of Singapore by inviting UGM alumni from multiple faculties. 

“We hope this can inspire Indonesian children who attend school in Singapore,” she said.

In addition, Kagama Singapore has also collaborated with NGOs in Singapore on voluntary projects by opening courses and training for Indonesian migrant workers on their days off. 

According to her, this program aligns with Kagama’s vision and mission of unity, harmony, and usefulness, aiming to bring together alumni scattered across Singapore. 

“We want to unite ‘scattered bones’ across Singapore into one family that can certainly be useful for our beloved alma mater and the Indonesian community,” she said.

Kagama Singapore also offers wide opportunities for anyone in need of information about Singapore, ranging from education, professional opportunities, job prospects, and life hacks for surviving in the country.

The Chair of the UGM Tennis Association and Vice Dean at the UGM Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP UGM), Professor Kuncoro Harto Widodo, expressed his appreciation for the warm and friendly reception from the Kagama Singapore Chair and the entire management. 

“We appreciate the embassy for facilitating this event so well and so warmly, mediated by Mrs. Irawati Djati, wife of the Deputy Ambassador and mentor of Kagama Singapore,” he said.

Professor Widodo introduced the entire UGM Tennis Association delegation, including Professor Wahyudi Kumorotomo, Secretary of the UGM Board of Professors, who also initiated the ALTITUDE program with NUS as a partner. 

“There are 21 members in the delegation,” he said.

According to Professor Widodo, the meeting with Kagama Singapore is expected to strengthen the UGM alumni network and open opportunities for partnership collaboration between UGM, Kagama Singapore, and the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore.

The Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, Human Resources, and Information Systems at FTP UGM added that this visit was also in line with a friendly tennis match with the Indonesian diaspora, supporting UGM’s Health Promoting University program while motivating members to be more active in sports, especially tennis. 

“Another hope is that this visit could open broader collaborations, considering the diverse backgrounds of both parties’ members,” he said.

Author: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel Kagama Singapore Offers Courses and Training for Indonesian Migrant Workers pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The event took place on Saturday (Jan. 18) at the Loyang Valley Tennis Court in Singapore.

The event was officially opened by Sulistijo Djati Ismojo, the Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Singapore. 

“This match with UGM is another in a series of friendly matches held by IFiT since its establishment in 2023,” said Ismojo.

Ismojo mentioned that the Indonesian diaspora community, numbering around 200,000, has various associations with shared interests, ranging from tennis to cycling to golf. 

Although the tennis community was formed just two years ago, it has already held several matches across various age categories in Singapore. Furthermore, it has also organized tennis matches in several cities in Indonesia, including Bintan, Batam, Jakarta, and Yogyakarta. 

“Apart from UGM, alumni communities from UI and ITB have also competed here,” he said.

During the occasion, Ismojo expressed his admiration for the UGM alumni community (Kagama) in Singapore. He stated that the Kagama members were among the most active in organizing activities. 

“Kagama Singapore is the most active, and its membership is the largest compared to UI and ITB. There have been several Kagama events here, with around 200 members in Singapore,” he added.

Ismojo hopes that such friendly matches will continue. He said the Indonesian Embassy will continue to support various activities carried out by the Indonesian diaspora communities in Singapore. 

“I hope this meeting is not the last and that it can be continued with matches in Yogyakarta. We are always enthusiastic about supporting positive activities that benefit our health,” he said.

The Chair of the UGM Tennis Association, Professor Kuncoro Harto Widodo, expressed his appreciation to the Indonesian Embassy and IFiT for facilitating the friendly match. 

“We highly appreciate it. The embassy welcomed our visit, and we were able to meet with Kagama Singapore,” said Professor Widodo.

He added that this friendly tennis match supports UGM’s Health Promoting University (HPU) program and gauges tennis development among UGM staff. 

“Therefore, we, the UGM Tennis Association, are conducting a return visit with an international friendly match with IFiT and the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore,” he said.

Eko Kusuma, a representative from IFiT, expressed gratitude to the UGM tennis team for participating in the friendly match. 

“Thank you to the UGM team for taking the time to play tennis with us, the Indonesian diaspora in Singapore,” he said.

According to the alumnus of UGM’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA UGM), the Indonesian diaspora tennis community is working to collaborate with Indonesian female workers in Singapore, providing practical skill development training such as computer literacy and English courses. 

“Many of them take time on weekends to develop new skills so that after their contract ends, they have new practical expertise,” he said.

Kusuma also suggested that UGM might participate in the development of practical skills programs for female workers in Singapore. 

“Perhaps there are UGM programs that could be a bridge,” he said.

The UGM Tennis Association team brought 21 players to this friendly tennis match, while IFiT Singapore brought 30. The players competed in 20 games, consisting of men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.

Author: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM and Indonesian Diaspora Hold Friendly Tennis Match in Singapore pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.