The commencement ceremony of period I of academic year 2018/2019 of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) was conducted on Saturday (20/10) at Sportorium of UMY. There were 1,687 graduates comprising of 1,428 graduates from undergraduate programs, 101 graduates from postgraduate programs, and 48 graduates from associate degree programs. At the graduation ceremony, all graduates received Al-Qur’an and it was expected that all alumni of UMY always enact Al-Qur’an as their way of life.

In his remark, Rector of UMY Dr. Ir. Gunawan Budiyanto, M.P. advised graduates to get closer to Allah. “This commencement feels distinctive since this is the first time all graduates get Al-Qur’an from UMY. I would like to emphasize that what is on your right hand is Al-Qur’an while you have a degree certificate, showing knowledge which you gained during your study, on you left hand. Both of them may become your assets to confront your future,” declared Gunawan.

He also wished that all alumni can be agents of change for the betterment of this nation that Al-Qur’an must be the principle for the change. “Besides, I hope that using Al-Qur’an as the principle of our live may assist us to achieve dreams of our founding fathers,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the best graduate from a Doctoral Program of Islamic Politics Dr. Hazel Dapat Jovita, who is a Filipina, was grateful for studying at UMY. “Time passes fast, and I don’t believe that I accomplished my study. I obtain incredible knowledge and I am proud of being a student of UMY,” expressed Hazel when delivering her speech.

Additionally, at the commencement ceremony, it was announced that the best graduate of undergraduate programs was Ar Rizka Familia from Department of Civil Engineering with GPA of 3.96 with a study duration of 3 years, 11 months and 22 days, while the best graduate of master’s programs was M. A. Malik from Master’s Program of International Relations with a study duration 2 years and 19 days. Besides, Vien Audita from Department of Management became a graduate with the shortest study duration, 3 years, 8 months and 25 days, whereas the youngest graduate went to Lalu Dwi Novikatari from Department of Sustainable Agriculture at the age of 20 years, 8 months and 29 days with GPA of 3.54.