UNS — For the first time, Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held an online graduation ceremony. The online graduation held on Saturday (2/5/2020) joined by 259 students.
The Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho stated that the 2nd Graduation Ceremony of 2020 was different from the graduation ceremony that usually conducted by UNS.
“According to the UNS academic calendar, the 2nd Graduation Ceremony was scheduled on 25 April 2020. However, considering the situation and the condition of COVID-19 pandemic, UNS decided on the re-schedule and the ceremonial event. Without reducing the validity and solemnity of the ceremony, the graduation ceremony of the 2nd UNS Graduation Ceremony must be carried out by teleconference or via the Webex application with due regard to the health protocol,” explained Prof. Jamal.
In front of the online graduates, Prof. Jamal conveyed that the COVID-19 pandemic has not shown a sign of dissipating soon. Thus, the Rector invited the graduates to put off their toga and its attributes and present directly in the affected communities to help with the COVID-19 pandemic mitigation efforts.
“We cannot close our eyes to sympathize with the neighbor or the surrounding environment who experienced various difficulties in this crisis. Because the consequence of becoming a part of the community is willing to take a mandate and social responsibility for them,” stated Prof. Jamal.
Prof. Jamal added that as the impact of COVID-19, there is wisdom to be learned. First, health and hygiene turned out to be very valuable because it can protect from various types of illnesses, including COVID-19. Second, many people are becoming more pious and worshipping God, self-introspection, get enough rest, have more time with family, that the earth has time for a break from pollutions, empty streets, and many other drastic changes that take place. Third, the education field getting closer to digital technology to support the learning process and other non-academic activities. New ways of managing universities must be taken, including the one taken by UNS. Teachers are required to master online Synchronous and Asynchronous communication to support courses and examination, they also have to master Zoom Cloud Meeting, WhatsApp group, Google Classroom, SPADA, Open Course Ware (OCW), and other apps.
The arrangement of the online graduation ceremony consists of singing Indonesia Raya (national anthem), opening remark from Rector, a report from the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, the reading of Rector’s Decree, symbolic inauguration by Rector with the Rector graduating the representative of graduates followed by all graduates. The diploma and bachelor degree graduate’s toga pigtail were moved by their parents or trustee, the master, doctoral, PPDS, and Professional Program pigtail does not need to be moved. It is then followed by graduates’ inauguration by Rector, recital of Alumnus Oath (Prasetya alumni), rector’s speech, and closing.
In this online graduation, the TNI Commander in Chief Marshal Dr. (H.C) Hadi Tjahjanto gave his scientific oration. The TNI commander conveyed a war analogy and COVID-19 is the enemy. Therefore, Indonesia people must move their Human Resource and all elements in the country must unite to stand together against COVID-19.
“To that end, improving the quality of human resources must continue to be improved. The term demands knowledge from the cradle to the grave,” stated Marshals Hadi Tjahjanto.
Meanwhile, in his report, the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs UNS, Prof. Ahmad Yunus conveyed that there are 259 students graduated on Saturday (2/5/2020). Nine are from the Doctoral program, 49 from the Magister program, 9 from Specialist Medical Education Program, and 188 Undergraduate program students from 11 faculties in UNS. There are also four students from the Diploma III program from three faculties that consist of 2 students from FEB, 1 from FT, and 1 from FMIPA. Seventy-six students were graduated cum laude or with honors. In total, UNS has 187,030 alumni after the ceremony.
In the ceremony, some students got the fastest and youngest title. The fastest graduate from Doctoral Program is Hamidin Rasulu who completed his program in 3 years and 6 months with a 4.0 GPA. The youngest graduate from the Doctoral Program is Septi Yulisetiani, graduated in her 30 years and 7 months old. The fastest graduate from the Magister Program is Kartyka Nababan, completed her program in 1 year and 6 months with 3.90 GPA. The youngest graduate from Magister Program is Muhammad Bagus Adi Wicaksono, graduated in his 23 years and 9 months old. The fastest graduate for the Undergraduate Program is Linda Astuti Damayanti, Bachelor of Agriculture, who completed her study in 3 years and 6 months, with 3.80 GPA, and the youngest graduate is Tsania Ulil Albab Sugeng, Bachelor of Management, graduated in her 20 years and 2 months old. Humas UNS/Dwi
