On May 21, 2025, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) commemorated its 61st anniversary with a ceremonial event held at the university's auditorium. The ceremony featured traditional Javanese cultural elements, known as "Gagrak Mataraman," reflecting UNY's commitment to preserving cultural identity while advancing educational excellence. The event was attended by notable figures, including the Vice Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Sri Paduka KGPAA Paku Alam X, and representatives from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology.
A highlight of the ceremony was the scientific oration delivered by Prof. Muhammad Irhas, Vice Chairman of the Economic Development and Special Regions Commission of the Indonesian Rectors Forum (FRI), who represented the chairman of FRI. In his address titled "Creating Innovative and Collaborative Superior Human Resources for Indonesia through Impactful Campuses," Prof. Irhas emphasized the importance of higher education institutions producing not only academic outputs but also tangible outcomes that benefit society directly. He advocated for the "Impactful Campus" movement as a strategic approach to address national development challenges and achieve the vision of a Golden Indonesia by 2045.
Prof. Irhas also urged UNY's academic community to instill strong character education in students, fostering patriotism and prioritizing national interests. He highlighted that character education is essential in preparing students to contribute meaningfully to the nation's progress and uphold its cultural values.
Rector of UNY, Prof. Sumaryanto highlighted the relevance of this year’s theme, “Synergy in Innovation to Achieve Excellence,” which aligns with the core message of the scientific oration presented during the event. He reaffirmed UNY’s commitment to its role as one of Indonesia’s leading educational universities.
“As a prominent teacher-training university in Indonesia, UNY holds a strategic role in supporting the enhancement of national education quality,” stated Prof. Sumaryanto. He emphasized that the university consistently strives to produce highly qualified and impactful educators and educational professionals who contribute meaningfully to society and the nation.
According to the Rector, the key to achieving this mission lies in the synergy and unity among all components within the university. Such collective strength, he noted, will drive the development of innovations that enable UNY to deliver its best services across various sectors. These innovations are not only meant to address current societal challenges but also to shape a future-ready academic community that supports Indonesia’s advancement.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, represented by Dr. Muhammad Hasan Chabibie, Expert Staff for the Strengthening of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Ecosystems, acknowledged UNY improvement through decades. In his remarks, Dr. Chabibie noted the vibrant atmosphere and the rich cultural identity of Yogyakarta that permeated the celebration. "This is a long-standing institution with decades of experiences, memories, and contributions," he stated.
Dr. Chabibie also highlighted the relevance of UNY’s anniversary theme, especially in the context of today’s educational and technological developments. He emphasized the growing presence of artificial intelligence in academic life. “This technology is undeniable and widely adopted by the academic community,” he said, acknowledging AI as an integral part of modern higher education.
However, he asserted that embracing AI must go hand-in-hand with cultivating critical thinking. As a higher education institution, UNY is expected to navigate this technological shift not only with enthusiasm but also with thoughtful strategy. “This is where synergy in innovation must meet its momentum and strategy—to lead to future achievements,” he added, calling for balanced progress that blends innovation with academic rigor.
The anniversary celebration underscored UNY's dedication to delivering quality education that aligns with Indonesia's developmental goals. By integrating cultural heritage with educational innovation, UNY aims to produce graduates who are not only academically proficient but also culturally grounded and socially responsible, contributing to the nation's advancement.
