Yogyakarta, September 19th 2025 – Tourism Master and Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), responding to the increasingly dynamic challenges in tourism, successfully held the “Alumni Gathering 2025” on Saturday, September 13th 2025. Taking place at the 5th Floor Auditorium of the UGM Graduate School, the event carried the grand theme “Synergy for the Nation,” serving as a platform to strengthen fellowship and build strategic collaborations for the future of Indonesian tourism.
The lively event was attended by alumni from various batches, active students, and faculty members. A touching and warm atmosphere was palpable as the alumni—now spreading across the country as academics, practitioners, and bureaucrats—gathered once again to “Bind Memories, Weave Fellowship.”
The Chief of the Tourism Studies Master Program at UGM stated in her speech that alumni synergy is a primary strength in facing the complexities of modern tourism. “Amid the increasingly complex challenges in tourism, collaboration among our alumni is a necessity, who have become experts in their respective fields. This event is not just for nostalgia, but a starting point to build a more solid synergy for the advancement of Indonesian tourism,” he stated.
The highlight of the event was a Sarasehan (discussion forum) featuring three expert speakers who are also central figures in the history of UGM’s Tourism Studies program. The speakers were:
- Dr. Ir. Chafid Fandeli, M.Si. (Lecturer, Master’s Program in Tourism Studies, UGM)
- Dr. M. Baiquni, M.A. (Chairman of the UGM Board of Professors and Lecturer)
The discussion, moderated by Desti Sarah Sagita (Alumna, 2020), covered various strategic issues, ranging from academic reflections to projections of the alumni’s role in the development of a resilient, inclusive, and sovereign national tourism. Participants were enthusiastically involved in the Q&A session, sharing experiences and fresh ideas.
In addition to the discussion session, the 2025 Alumni Gathering also witnessed several important moments, including the official launch of the Tourism Studies Alumni Association and the presentation of awards to senior lecturers as a form of appreciation for their dedication.
The event, after the formal session in the auditorium, continued with a more intimate atmosphere in the hallway of the Graduate School. Various informal activities such as an open mic, musical performances by each batch, and a gift exchange game successfully created a relaxed atmosphere and strengthened the emotional bonds among the alumni.
This event is expected to become the foundation for building more collaborative relationships, opening up various strategic opportunities, and strengthening the academic contribution of UGM’s Tourism Studies program for Indonesia.
Author: Berlian Belasuni