Hundreds of Universitas Muhammadiyah Gorontalo (UMGO) first-year students listened to the motivation presented by the Secretary of Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (CHERD), Muhammad Sayuti, M.Pd, Ph.D, in David Bobihoe Indoor Building, Thursday (11/11).
The Rector of UMGO, Prof Dr Abd Kadim Masaong warmly welcomed the Secretary of Muhammadiyah CHERD for visiting Gorontalo for the first time. “Alhamdulillah, we can strengthen the relationship between UMGO academic civitas and the new students in following the Personality Development and Strengthening Character Program for 6 months,” he explained.
Muhammad Sayuti mentioned UMGO as one of 166 Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs). Hence, the advantage of learning in MHEIs is the students belong to a big family of Muhammadiyah in Indonesia. The student was encouraged to think from national and global perspectives, not only in Gorontalo. “Alhamdulillah, Muhammadiyah is the only organization that has established a campus abroad, and it is in Malaysia,” he said.
He also prompted UMGO students to not delay their success. The students should actively participate in Student Activity Units, Muhammadiyah Autonomous Organization including Muhammadiyah Student Association (IPM), Muhammadiyah College Student Association (IMM), Hizbul Wathan (Muhammadiyah Scout), Nasyiatul Aisyiyah (Female Youth Organization, and Pemuda Muhammadiyah (Male Youth Organization). “The requirements to success are to build networking, develop good communication competence, have a full dedication for the parents, and have a determination to move forward,” he said. The students should learn from various sources of knowledge and not only focus on one study program because the working world ahead requires various skills and competence. “Put your dreams on the sky because when you fall, you fall in the stars. But if you put your dreams on the coconut trees, when you fall, you will only have fractures,” Muhammad Sayuti concluded.