Thousands of Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar (Unismuh) students gathered in the 47th Muktamar Convention Center to celebrate the 76th Graduation Ceremony, Thursday (23/06). From 1.257 graduates, Unismuh has achieved varied accomplishments, including a large number of students that received the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemdikbud) scholarship. According to the University, the Rector of Unismuh Ad interim, Dr Abd Rakhim Nanda revealed that from 2018-2022, Kemdikbud awarded 22.046 students scholarships. “The total value of the scholarship in the period is estimated at 65.2 billion rupiahs,” he said.
The scholarships consist of academic achievement improvement (PPA), Bidikmisi, KIP-Kuliah (Indonesia Smart College Card Scholarship), Tuition Fee, and Difabel Assistances. However, Dr Rakhim Nanda continued, Unismuh students not only received the scholarship from the Ministry, but the Campus also awarded the students varied scholarship programs. “In 2022, Unismuh has prepared 250 academic scholarship, 250 hafidz scholarship, and 150 Muhammadiyah cadre (Bibit Unggul Persyarikatan) scholarship,” said Dr Rakhim Nanda, the Vice-Rector I Unismuh Makassar.
The graduates also received several highlights from various figures. Prof Irwan Akib, the Secretary of Muhammadiyah Province Board (PWM) of South Sulawesi delivered his remarks to emphasize that academic achievement is one factor that leads to success. Unismuh, known as ‘the Blue Campus’, could provide various essential teachings for the graduates. According to the Former Rector of Unismuh, the blue color could create a calm and peaceful feeling. Blue is also identified as loyalty, trust, and responsibility. “When we have loyalty and maintain the trust, we can compete in the broader communities,” he said.
The Head of Higher Education Service Institute (LLDikti) Regional IX, Drs Andi Lukman MSi prompted the alumni to own four competencies, comprising creativity, critical thinking, communication skills, and collaboration capabilities. “After this commencement ceremony, it is a new beginning for your own real life. Never stop learning and develop your skills,” Drs Andi Lukman said.
Addressing the graduates, Prof Thobroni, Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (CHERD) representative, also highlighted to all Unismuh alumni to implement four daily habits. “I leave these messages for you, first, wake up to worship Allah SWT in the night (qiyamullail),” said Prof Thobroni. The UMM Professor of Islamic Studies continued the second highlight was to impel the students to be nice, especially to the parents as their saleh (devout) child. “The third is to improve good deeds, acts of kindness. And also, the fourth is to have generosity in giving to many charities,” he concluded.
