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.

Zubaidah is the first non-teaching staff (tendik) to receive a doctoral degree after successfully defending her dissertation, “The Use of Palm Kernel Cake with Enzyme Supplementation for Productivity, Carcass Quality, and Gut Health of Broiler Chickens.” 

“Alhamdulillah, I’m certainly happy to have finished on time, as per my initial three-year target,” Zubaidah said after the defense.

Zubaidah was interested in researching palm kernel cake due to its potential as livestock feed. Palm kernel cake is a by-product of palm kernel oil production. Its production is relatively high in Indonesia, and it contains 14% – 19% crude protein, making it a potential feed source, particularly for poultry. 

However, palm kernel cake has the drawback of containing high levels of crude fiber, especially mannan. 

Poultry lacks the enzyme to degrade mannan, making it necessary to supplement with external enzymes such as mannanase, NSPase, and protease to improve nutrient digestibility. This results in increased productivity, better carcass quality, and improved gut health in broiler chickens.

Zubaidah completed her doctoral program in 2 years and 11 months under the supervision of Professor Zuprizal (promoter), Dr. Bambang Ariyadi (co-promoter), and Professor Chusnul Hanim (co-promoter). 

She also revealed that her journey to complete her doctoral studies was supported by her family. 

“Coincidentally, my husband is also a graduate of the Faculty of Animal Science at Diponegoro University, so he could be a discussion partner during my studies,” she said.

Zubaidah did not forget to express her gratitude to the staff at the IMT Laboratory and the leadership of the Faculty of Animal Science. With the results she has achieved, Zubaidah hopes to inspire other non-teaching staff to continue learning and improving their knowledge in their respective fields. 

“It certainly requires effort. I had to write my dissertation and journal at night, and I even spent my weekends completing my tasks,” the mother of two sons recalled.

Zubaidah began her education with a bachelor’s degree at the UGM Faculty of Animal Science in 2000 and continued her master’s degree at UGM’s Graduate School in 2010. Born in Sleman on Oct. 2, 1981, she completed her doctoral studies independently and was registered as a student in the 2021 doctoral cohort at the UGM Faculty of Animal Science.

Reporting by: Animal Science UGM/Satria

Author: Triya Andriyani

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM Laboratory Technician Earns Doctorate in Animal Feed Science pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has partnered with UGM to invite the public to learn about artificial intelligence technology and improve digital literacy.

The Indonesian Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, stated that her ministry is partnering with universities like UGM to prepare the younger generation to lead in artificial intelligence technology. 

According to her, universities are the right extension between the ministry and the public to increase digital literacy in the country. 

“To welcome technological advancements, especially AI, Indonesia still needs 9 million digital talents by 2030,” she told reporters on the sidelines of her visit to the event titled “Komdigi Menjangkau: Campus, We’re Coming!”, which was held by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, Universitas Gadjah Mada, and Microsoft at the Grha Sabha Pramana on Wednesday (Dec. 11). 

In addition to discussions, a job fair was held simultaneously with various Indonesian digital companies, including OVO and Digitalent.

Minister Hafid emphasized that digital technology companies have also committed to developing Indonesian human resources in digital technology. 

“We encourage large global technology companies to be involved so that Indonesia not only acts as a consumer but also produces competent human resources,” said the minister.

Although AI is touted as a companion or assistant to humans, there are still challenges to face. The Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Nezar Patria, revealed that AI is not yet fully optimal, so negligence and errors often occur. 

One example is the emergence of AI technology that is trained to be biased and discriminatory towards certain races and religions. In addition, weak privacy security and minimal supervision are problems that must be addressed immediately.

According to him, the use of AI must have trustworthy governance principles that protect against all risks. Therefore, security, inclusion, and responsibility must be upheld. 

He also advised that even though AI is already and will continue to be increasingly widespread, technological ethics must still be upheld. 

“Master AI, don’t let AI master us,” said the deputy minister.

In line with the deputy minister, Panji Wasmana, the Director of the National Technology Officer of Microsoft Indonesia, said that critical thinking skills must accompany the use of AI. 

Often, people swallow raw information provided by AI without checking its accuracy. Strengthening students’ ethics and basic values is needed so that AI does not drive humans. 

“We must be the pilots, let AI be the co-pilots,” he concluded.

Author: Tiefany 

Editor: Gusti Grehenson 

Photographer: Firsto

Artikel Communication Ministry and UGM Join Hands to Encourage Young Generation to Utilize AI pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This career fair aimed to prepare UGM students and alumni from various educational backgrounds by equipping them with a broad understanding of the job industry. 

In addition to the career expo, the event also featured other activities, including career talks, career counseling, and career workshops led by experts in their fields, which attendees could join to prepare for their future careers.

Dr. Arief Setiawan Budi Nugroho, Vice-Rector for Planning, Assets, and Information Systems, expressed his hope that the job fair would help students and alumni gain insights into job prospects and develop the ability to make informed decisions when choosing a career. 

“In addition to the skills needed to face challenges and obstacles in what is often a difficult career journey,” he said.

Dr. Nugroho also highlighted the importance of staying updated and adaptable to developments in the industrial world through technology and information. 

He added that UGM is committed to enhancing Indonesia’s human resources. 

“As a leading university, UGM continues to align its purpose and learning with industry needs,” Dr. Nugroho explained.

Refti Betriesva, Sub-Coordinator for Labor Market Networking at the Ministry of Manpower, appreciated the event organized by UGM and the Ministry of Manpower, along with related agencies, to provide UGM students, alumni and the local community around Yogyakarta with the opportunity to connect directly with industries. 

“They can choose careers that match their competencies and skills, as well as better job opportunities,” she said.

She further noted that the event also served as a platform to explore careers, build professional networks, and broaden insights into the industry and its needs. 

“This way, we can become more relevant and competitive in the job market,” Betriesva added.

The event continued with career talks featuring various companies. On the first day, six companies participated, including PT Qiscus Tekno Indonesia, Enesis Group, PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, L’Oréal Indonesia, PT Hutama Karya Infrastruktur, and PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. 

The second day featured five companies: Great Giant Pineapple (Great Giant Food), L’Oréal Indonesia, PT Astra Indonesia Tbk, PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk, and Paragon Innovation and Technology.

During the career talks, speakers representing these companies shared a wide range of information, tips, and valuable experiences.

For example, Nur Hasanah, Non-Food Sub Department Head at Enesis Group, an alumna of UGM’s Bachelor of Pharmacy program, discussed Enesis Group and elaborated on the Research and Development (R&D) division. 

She provided various work tips that could be applied not only in R&D but also more broadly.

She added that everything she learned during her studies at UGM’s Pharmacy program has been useful and applicable in her current job. 

“All the courses taught in that faculty are highly relatable. None of them are irrelevant,” Hasanah said.

Another UGM alumna who contributed to the career talks was Ressa Anastasia Angela Depari, Assistant Vice President at PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, who earned her Master’s degree in Management (MM) at UGM. 

In her session, she explained her company, the pathways for internships and available job openings, the types and importance of investments, and the competencies required for career success.

Author: Leony

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photo: UGM Alumni Office

Artikel 39 Companies Participate in UGM Career Fair pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Even graduating from a top university does not guarantee a successful career, as it requires perseverance, stiff competition, and a long time. 

In today’s increasingly competitive job market, graduates must not become complacent or stop learning. Most importantly, they need to understand their primary goals and start by doing whatever they can.

N. Hasto Kristiyono, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of PT Infra Migunani Mitayani, conveyed this to 2,062 prospective bachelor and applied bachelor graduates of UGM during the graduation briefing event at Grha Sabha Pramana on Monday (Nov. 19).

Kristiyono emphasized the importance of UGM alumni staying focused on their aspirations and not becoming overly proud. 

“Don’t compare yourself to someone else’s career; everyone has their own efforts and paths. Focus on what you want to achieve,” Kristiyono said.

He added that any path pursued will yield results if one remains dedicated and continues to grow. Kristiyono also shared his personal experience of starting his career as a technician and eventually becoming an executive after 30 years.

Moreover, Kristiyono pointed out that career progression is never easy. Even for graduates from prestigious universities, competition is tougher today. 

Therefore, he advised alumni not to be easily satisfied or stop learning. The most important thing is knowing one’s main goals and starting with whatever can be done. 

“No matter how high your grades are, what ensures success is what you’re going to do. Don’t get lost in success, but don’t be crushed by failure. If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything,” Kristiyono concluded.

He also urged graduates to always maintain ethical conduct. No matter the goal, decision, or interest, one must remain within the boundaries of norms and ethics.

The next message was delivered by Dios Kurniawan, Chief Technology Officer of PT Telkomsel Ekosistem Digital (INDICO), who has successfully built a career in the technology sector. 

Kurniawan emphasized building a resilient character and never giving up before achieving one’s goals. He shared how his early career was filled with challenges, often being scolded by superiors and faced with high demands. 

However, all of this shaped the success and character he has today. 

“That’s normal. Take it as a lesson, and put them above us. Improve yourself. My message is that this is not the end of learning, but the point where you start learning,” Kurniawan explained.

Another key point is being adaptable to various changes. Kurniawan highlighted that changes in this era are far more profound than they were years ago. 

As challenges and competition become fiercer, opportunities will expand for adaptable people. 

“Start making as many mistakes as possible because those who make mistakes are creating something. Learning is not something that stops,” Kurniawan remarked.

Author: Tasya

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photographer: Firsto

Artikel Cultivating Strong and Ethical Traits Key to Career Success pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Of course, it’s not easy to get into one of the Big Four, including PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Some steps and skills need to be prepared and mastered.

The UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM) has long recognized its students’ aspirations. 

To bring students closer to PwC, FEB UGM organized a Campus Hiring session titled “PwC Indonesia Roadshow 2024, Build Your Tomorrow with PwC” on Friday (Oct. 25).

The event, held on the 8th floor of the FEB UGM Learning Center Building, aimed to introduce PwC and provide students with insights into the professional world.

PwC’s Deals Advisory Manager, Alisya Sakti, shared detailed information about the company.

During this session, she shared tips for building a successful career at PwC. She emphasized the importance of students strengthening their qualities and soft skills to succeed in their careers at PwC. 

Some of these include a sense of responsibility, openness to criticism, a strong willingness to learn, critical and analytical thinking, and a strong commitment to work quality.

“What is learned in college is very applicable to everyday work. Mastering basic skills and technical expertise in accounting and management will help understand the projects at PwC,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dessy Trisnawati, PwC’s Tax & Legal Services Manager, added that willingness to learn and commitment to quality are key. 

According to her, these two traits are important because the world is evolving rapidly, and employees who are willing to learn can quickly adapt to various challenges and changes. 

“Each year, the challenges become greater, but that makes us stronger,” she explained.

Muhammad Sani, the company’s Risk Assurance Manager, shared his experience working at PwC. He mentioned that he has found the work environment very supportive since joining. 

“I learned a lot, collaborated with a great team, and had the opportunity to move to different units if interested in other business processes,” he said.

Hidayah, the Consulting Manager, made a similar statement. Since joining PwC, she has felt that the feedback mechanism is very good, with a clear career path. 

“The application of an agile work pattern allows flexibility in work,” she said.

In the “A Glimpse into PwC Indonesia” session, Intan, the company’s Human Capital Manager, introduced the company profile. 

She explained the company values, such as Care, Remaining Inquisitive, Making a Difference, Acting with Integrity, and Working Together. 

“These values are the foundation for employees to contribute effectively in the workplace,” she said.

She also added that PwC supports employee well-being through the Wellness Society, a platform for sports and hobby activities aimed at increasing productivity and happiness among employees.

Dr. Gumilang Aryo Sahadewo, Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni at FEB UGM, opened this Campus Hiring session. He appreciated PwC’s presence and the involvement of students from various universities in this event.

He hopes students will not stop learning after graduating from FEB UGM. He encourages them to be lifelong learners and continue to hone the technical and soft skills that are crucial in the workforce.

Three hundred students from various universities, including Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Islam Indonesia, Universitas Diponegoro, Universitas Atma Jaya, and Universitas Sebelas Maret, attended the event. 

One participant, Dina Parisya from Universitas Islam Indonesia, expressed her enthusiasm for attending the session and recruitment event.

“I’m interested in joining this recruitment because the career talk session provided a lot of insights, especially on how to improve career paths. With my experience in auditing, I hope to start my career at one of the Big Four companies,” she said.

Reporters: FEB UGM/Shofi Hawa Anjani & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum

Author: Agung Nugroho

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel Soft Skills and Adaptability: Keys to Success at PwC, Say Managers at FEB UGM Event pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This new focus builds on the previous AI-Preneur concentration, with a specific emphasis on applying AI technology in the business sector.

The strategic collaboration was formalized by the signing of an agreement between FMIPA UGM Dean Professor Kuwat Triyana and IDS Digital College Founder Andi Boediman on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. 

The event was attended by Dr. Fajar Adikusumo, Vice Dean for Alumni, Cooperation, and Innovation at FMIPA UGM, along with the Chair and Secretary of the UGM Department of Computer Science and Electronics, Dr. Wahyono, and Dr. Andi Dharmawan.

Professor Triyana explained that the concentration will equip students with AI skills integrated into the business context. 

“The curriculum is designed to allow students to intern with business networks affiliated with IDS Digital College,” he said in a statement sent to the media on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

Additionally, he emphasized that students will be encouraged to earn AI certifications relevant to its business applications, further preparing them for industry challenges.

Enrollment for this new concentration will begin for the 2024/2025 Spring Semester. 

Graduates are hoped to be better equipped to apply their knowledge and skills in the workplace, whether at home institutions or in broader industry environments.

Author: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Lintang

Artikel UGM Launches New AI Concentration Focused on Business Applications pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The decrees were handed over by the Vice-Rector for Human Resources and Finance, Professor Supriyadi, and the Director of Human Resources, Professor Suadi, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, at UGM Senate Hall.

Professor Suadi noted that 9,313 applicants registered for the 218 available positions. However, only 182 positions were filled, resulting in an occupancy rate of 82%. 

This was because not all test participants were accepted and completed the hiring process. 

“Today, we will issue 155 decrees; the remaining ones still need to be finalized as some accepted applicants are still under contract with other institutions,” Professor Suadi stated.

Professor Supriyadi congratulated the newly appointed permanent staff who successfully secured their positions at UGM, highlighting that they had outperformed 51 candidates for each available role. 

He hoped the permanent staff would work effectively and contribute positively to UGM’s progress, emphasizing that UGM is the best institution in Indonesia. 

“Formally, you all are now part of UGM, so you must reflect UGM’s values in your behavior,” he said.

Furthermore, Professor Supriyadi advised all staff to maintain integrity and concern for all stakeholders they will serve in their roles. 

Noting that not all newly appointed staff are UGM alumni, Professor Supriyadi explained that a special program will introduce the values highly regarded by the UGM community. 

“We will inform you about the schedule soon. This program is essential to understand and internalize UGM’s values, which you will apply to your behavior,” he clarified.

He also explained the career pathways offered by UGM. Initially, staff will be placed according to the appointment decrees they receive. 

Subsequently, they will undergo job rotations to other units to gain broader experience and a clearer understanding of all jobs at UGM. 

To be promoted, staff must work through several units to ensure their skills are comprehensive and not limited to a specific area. 

“With rotation, I am confident that staff will learn many things, enabling them to be more empowered and developed,” he said.

Author: Triya Andriyani  

Photographers: Firsto, Donnie

Post-editor: Lintang

Artikel 182 UGM Staff Receive Appointment Decrees pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

These environmental changes demand that the industrial sector also participate in environmental improvement, preservation, and reforestation. This commitment is expected to boost Indonesia’s progress in industrial products and global competitiveness. 

This was the main focus of a seminar titled “Green Economy-Green Job: Challenges and Solutions for Indonesia” held on Friday (Oct. 4) at the UGM Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM).

Professor Anwar Sanusi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Manpower, stated that one of the challenges the industrial sector must address today is the low education level of the workforce and the fact that economic activities no longer rely directly on the exploitation of natural resources. 

According to Professor Sanusi, this challenge can be addressed through training and improving workforce competencies to ensure they are aligned with industrial needs. 

“This challenge can be tackled with training and competency development to create a link and match with industry conditions,” he explained.

UGM sociologist Dr. Fina Itriyati described green jobs as decent work that contributes to the environment. 

She explained that green jobs aim to reduce energy or raw material consumption. Most importantly, these jobs should not be limited to oligarchs or people with capital but should also be accessible to the lower class. 

“For this to happen, strong regulations are needed for implementation, supported by companies engaging with communities to foster new awareness at the grassroots level,” she said.

Amalia Prabowo, President Director of ExportHub.id, attended the event as an industry practitioner. She shared her experiences and the challenges the industrial world faces in transitioning to a green economy and jobs. 

“What we do is connect academics with MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) in rural areas, and then we help showcase and market the results of this collaboration globally,” she explained.

Prabowo highlighted that one of the main challenges for the industrial sector today is the readiness of Indonesian businesses to prepare themselves for global exposure, as Indonesian products are rarely seen in the worldwide marketplace. 

“This needs to change. Digitalization is necessary for businesses in Indonesia to advance and compete globally,” she concluded.

Dr. Wikan Sakarinto, the Director of the Indonesian Innovation Academy, pointed out that Indonesia’s labor productivity index is low, especially compared to other Southeast Asian countries. 

“The solution to increasing this productivity is through soft skills training,” he said.

Author: Lazuardi

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Photographer: Donnie

Post-editor: Afif

Artikel Industry Needs to Pay Attention to Green Economic Development pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Nicholas, commonly known as Nicho, recounted his early experiences in the creative industry. He noted that works are often categorized by their disciplines, but today, many people enrich their creative processes by blending different disciplines. 

For Nicho, this cross-disciplinary approach is crucial for the younger generation to adapt their work to social conditions.

Nicho provided an example from his experience, discussing a traditional Balinese performance he worked on two years ago. 

Preparing the performance took six months to a year, highlighting the lengthy creative process from inception to staging. 

“A work will naturally evolve creatively over time, influenced by varying social contexts,” he explained.

He emphasized the importance of young people focusing on objectivity and purpose when creating work rather than relying solely on audience appreciation. While validation from an audience is a natural part of the creative process, it is not everything in the creative industry.

Nicho also addressed the common experience of creative blocks. He advised young people to share their ideas with close contacts to receive constructive feedback, which can foster a better creative process. 

“In the digital age, accessibility is easier, so there is great potential for you to develop your creative ideas,” he said.

Nida, an English Literature student from the 2023 batch and a workshop participant, noted that engaging with attendees from various fields provided her with diverse perspectives. 

“I’m thrilled to be part of this event and to learn directly from Nicholas Saputra, an expert in the creative industry,” she said.

The workshop, organized by Narasi and Grab ID, reassured participants that they have significant opportunities to express innovation in the current creative industry. However, challenges in creativity and quality cannot be overlooked.

Author: Lintang

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afif

Artikel Nicholas Saputra Encourages UGM Students to Cultivate Creative Ideas pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.