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Thousands march to celebrate UGM's 68th anniversary
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Reviving spirit of nationalism: Yogyakarta Sultan and Governor Hamengkubuwono X and Gadjah Mada University (UGM) rector Panut Mulyono (center) lead Sunday's march from Yogyakarta Palace to the university's Bulaksumur campus. The public march was part of a series of events held since September to mark UGM's 68th anniversary, which falls on Tuesday. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, also participated in the event. (Courtesy of the Gadjah Mada University/File)
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round 6,000 people comprised of the rector, deans, lecturers, staff members, students and alumni of Gadjah Mada University (UGM), as well as members of the public, joined a march on Sunday to celebrate the university’s 68th anniversary, which will fall on Tuesday.
Titled Nitilaku Perguruan Kebangsaan (tracing the path of the college of nationalism), the 5.5-kilometer march started at the Yogyakarta Palace’s Pagelaran Hall and ended at the university’s central building in Bulaksumur.
“This is a unity between the palace, the campus and the kampongs,” UGM Rector Panut Mulyono said in his opening remarks before Yogyakarta Sultan and Governor Hamengkubono X officially started the march.
Panut said the march, in which participants were required to wear historical costumes, had attracted visitors to Yogyakarta. The event is intended to be developed into a tourist attraction for inclusion in the city’s annual calendar of events.
UGM, the country's oldest university, celebrates its anniversary on Dec. 19. It has held a series of activities ranging from seminars, sports, entertainment and cultural events since early September, which will run until Dec. 22.
The public march is held annually to remember the history of UGM, which was established at Yogyakarta's royal palace 68 years ago.
“With the concept of the campus, palace and kampong, we encourage UGM alumni to come up with solutions to the problems of this world,” UGM Alumni Association (Kagama) chairman Ganjar Pranowo said. (ebf)
