Mataram, University of Mataram – University of Mataram (Unram) successfully held the July 2024 graduation period on Thursday (4/7) at the M. Yusuf Abu Bakar Auditorium Building. A total of 1227 students officially graduated consisting of 1 Doctor, 65 Masters, 1025 Bachelor, 125 Diploma, and 11 Professions.

Of the 1025 undergraduates, 257 people came from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), 99 people from the Faculty of Agriculture (Faperta), 34 people from the Faculty of Animal Science (Faterna), 158 people from the Faculty of Law, Social and Political Sciences (FHISIP), 308 people from the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), 114 people from the Faculty of Engineering (FT), 36 people from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MIPA), 3 people from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKIK), and 16 people from the Faculty of Food Technology and Agroindustry (Fatepa).

The Rector of Unram, Prof. Ir. Bambang Hari Kusumo, M.Agr.St., Ph.D. in his speech congratulated the graduates who had successfully completed their studies.

“On behalf of the Unram academic community, I congratulate all graduates who have successfully completed their studies at Unram. Your hard work over the years, facing various challenges and obstacles, joys and sorrows, today has paid off,” said Prof. Bambang.

The Rector of Unram also expressed his appreciation to all parents of graduates and graduates for the success of their children in studying at Unram. “To the parents of the graduates, I would like to congratulate you on the success of your children,” he added.

Prof. Bambang further reminded the graduates about the challenges in the era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0. “You must become reliable learners who are competent, intelligent, flexible, and adaptive to seize opportunities and be ready to face future challenges that continue to increase along with advances in science and technology. For this reason, you must have skills that include problem solving, creative, communicative, collaborative, character, leadership and strong personality, and national insight,”

Unram has made brilliant and proud achievements in the national and international levels. According to QS World University Rankings, Unram is ranked as the 19th best state university in Indonesia, and is one of three universities in Eastern Indonesia on the list, along with Hasanuddin University (Unhas) and Udayana University (Unud). According to Times Higher Education, Unram is ranked as the 22nd best state university in Indonesia.

Unram managed to increase the number of professors from 62 in 2021 to 97 in 2024, with many more waiting for the process to become professors. Unram also continues to increase the number of international students by opening international classes. In 2022 there were 57 international students studying at Unram and an increase to 143 in 2023. This semester, the number of international students reached 75 people from various countries including South Korea, the Netherlands, Germany, China, Egypt, Malaysia, France, Myanmar, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan.

The Rector of Unram emphasized that graduation is not the end of everything, but the first step to practicing the knowledge that has been obtained. “You are the pride of Unram. Keep the good name of the alma mater, wherever you are and serve. Be agents of change for the nation, through hard work, creativity, and innovation, and uphold the values of honesty and discipline. Use the knowledge you have to help the community, the business world, the industrial world, the government and other partners in solving increasingly complex problems and challenges in the future,” said the Rector of Unram.

The Rector further quoted a statement from Thomas J. Stanley, an American business expert. “A person’s success is not determined by GPA alone or the top alma mater where he studied, but is determined by the soft skills he has such as honesty, discipline, social intelligence, hard work, love for work, strong leadership and a competitive and creative personality.”

Closing his speech, the Rector expressed his gratitude to the parents of graduates, lecturers, education staff, and all those who have contributed to the implementation of education at Unram. “My gratitude and highest appreciation to the lecturers, all educational staff, and all those who have contributed to the implementation of education at Unram,” concluded the Rector of Unram.

With the enthusiasm and provision that has been obtained, the graduates are expected to contribute positively in society and become agents of change that bring progress the nation.