Makassar – The atmosphere in Baruga Pattingallong, the official residence of Governor of South Sulawesi, looked unusual that evening. From 6 p.m., some alumni from across South Sulawesi started to come to attend Alumni Gathering at the venue on Friday (19/10).
Indri, one of the alumni from Faculty of Cultural Sciences, welcomed this gathering event, because UGM alumni in Makassar rarely see each other. “We often discuss about a lot of things through WhatsApp Group, this is a good opportunity to meet friends directly” she said.
The chairman of Pengda KAGAMA of South Sulawesi, Prof. Dr. Farida Patittingi, S.H., M.Hum., said during the speech that there are approximately 400 UGM alumni in South Sulawesi which currently abroad in various educational institution, government institution, and private sector. Alumni and local government have strategic role to develop KAGAMA synergy, so alumni could give contribution, no matter how small it is. “The Governor always helps to make educational institution and local government synergy happens to develop together,” he said. The chairman of Pengda KAGAMA of South Sulawesi also expressed his gratitude to The Governor because he really supports this event and he expected that relation among UGM, KAGAMA of South Sulawesi, and local government of South Sulawesi could be maintained very well.
Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng., delivered his gratitude to the Governor of South Sulawesi who had facilitated this event so UGM alumni who come from many regions in South Sulawesi could join the gathering, reunited, and had discussions. He expected that alumni could be able to contribute in their workplace. UGM is very proud of its alumni that can be united by any force wherever they may be. “Alumni support towards UGM is absolute because there is no any institutions could grow without supports from its alumni. Relation between alumni and its alma mater is a very important thing.” he said.
Rector of UGM also explained UGM contribution related to recent natural disaster. UGM, through DERU, from the beginning had moved to give logistics supports either in Lombok and Palu by sending special KKN disaster unit that stayed for one month per period. Moreover, there are 200 students from Central Sulawesi and Lombok who are given tuition exemption for the next semester.
Governor of South Sulawesi expressed his appreciation to UGM which already created many nation leaders. “I have become Bantaeng Regent for 10 years. During that period, we always ask for UGM KKN units, we ask UGM because KKN students are very critical and helpful”.
During that occasion, there is also signing of a joint Memorandum of Understanding between UGM and South Sulawesi Provincial Government about Tri Dharma of Institution. Governor of South Sulawesi hoped that this MoU between UGM and the government could also increase human resources. “I believe there are a lot of youths in provincial government who will develop themselves. We expect to be able to synergize in research field, to push local research in the region,” he explained.
South Sulawesi Province is the third province that had been visited by Rector of UGM in UGM Menyapa Alumni this year. Prior to that, Rector of UGM visited Bangka Belitung Island Province and West Papua. [Irzha].