The Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a Family Gathering as part of the culminating events of its 43rd Anniversary (Dies Natalis) celebration. The event took place on Saturday (17/10/2026) in the west parking lot of the UGM Graduate School (SPs UGM) and was filled with joy.
The event was attended by all lecturers, administrative staff (tendik), students, and partners of the Graduate School, such as Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) and Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI), together with the families of lecturers and staff. The presence of family members of all ages made the parking lot, which had been transformed into an activity arena, feel warm and welcoming.
Participants starting in the morning could take advantage of free health services, including a medical check-up and an eye examination. These services were provided as an expression of care for the health of the entire academic community and their families, and as an implementation of the Health Promoting University (HPU) initiative launched by UGM.
The event began with remarks from the chair of the Family Gathering committee, Yusuf Amri, M.Sc., and the Dean of the UGM Graduate School, Prof. Ir. Siti Malkhamah, M.Sc., Ph.D. The Dean expressed her sincere thanks to all participants in attendance, and to her colleagues, especially the administrative staff, who prepared the event very well, from coordination to execution.
Various competitions also enlivened the event. Children took part in drawing and coloring contests, while adult participants competed in creativity in the watermelon creation contest and tested their patience in the fishing competition. The committee also prepared several other fun contests that drew laughter and cheers.
The entertainment stage, between the competitions, featured the finalists of the karaoke contest. The finalists showed their vocal skills and received lively applause from the audience.
The highlight of the excitement came during the prize-giving session. Prizes were awarded to the winners of the volleyball, table tennis, and badminton competitions, which had been held earlier as part of the Dies Natalis series. In addition, the committee handed out a variety of attractive door prizes with a coupon draw, which participants welcomed enthusiastically.
Another entertainment that captured attention was a dance performance by the Performing Arts and Fine Arts Program (PSPSR), in collaboration with a dance themed around learning and school. The performance served as a reminder that the Graduate School is a place to pursue knowledge as well as a space for everyone in its academic community to grow together.
This Family Gathering, SPs UGM hopes that the sense of togetherness and closeness among lecturers, staff, students, partners, and families will grow stronger. This spirit of kinship is expected to be a valuable asset in helping the Graduate School continue to advance and contribute to society as it enters its 43rd year.
Author: Siti Muyasaroh