Orientation Day or well knows as ‘Masa Ta’aruf” (MATAF) at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) of academic year 2016/2017 was officially opened with rector’s hitting a gong and putting a university blazer on freshmen from Rwanda, Central Africa, Saudi Arabia, Papua, and Aceh. The MATAF opening was conducted on Tuesday (6/9) at Sportorium of UMY, and attended by 4600 freshmen, officials of faculties, and international students.
Rector of UMY, Prof. Bambang Cipto, M.A. thanked the freshmen for taking undergraduate program at UMY. “I, representing all universities parties, will assist you during your study at this university,” he expressed.
He told that the freshmen should be proud of being UMY’s students since this university successfully organized various national and international events. “A number of national and international events were held at Sportorium. For instance, in Mei UMY became the host of Muhammadiyah’s National Convention. UMY was also the host of an international event, namely ABU Asia-Pacific Robocon,” he mentioned.
He expected that the freshmen can gain a lot of achievements during their study. “Several weeks ago, Mechanical Engineering students won ASEAN Autodesk Design Competition. It shows that UMY is a right place for you to obtain achievement. I wish that you can achieve what your seniors achieved,” he hoped.
Besides, chairperson of Muhammadiyah, Haedar Nashir, advised the freshmen to always be a learner and an intellectual who are always curious about knowledge. “This university is a great university, and possesses huge expectations. Thus, you must have enthusiasm for being a Muslim intellectual,” he encouraged.
He argued that being a Muslim intellectual should be smart as well as have good morals. “Being smart is not adequate. The morals should be noble as well. Indonesia is now confronting children’s moral issues. Therefore, you must watch your attitudes,” he emphasized.
He also motivated the freshmen to be an agent of change since they have to look at their social life and initiate changes. “You are prospective leaders of this nation in the next ten or twenty years. Be a leader as Prophet Muhammad and founding fathers of this nation who loved their nation more than loved themselves,” he ended.
