Among proud graduates at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta’s (UNY) May 2025 commencement, one name drew heartfelt applause—Frida Hertiza Dewi, the top graduate from the Educational Management program. With a near-perfect GPA of 3.97 and a study period of just three and a half years, Frida’s academic record is impressive. But what made her story stand out even more was her humility. “I’m not here because I’m the smartest,” she shared. “I’m here because I kept going, even when things got tough.”

Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA UNY) recently partnered with Universitas Udayana's Faculty of Agriculture and Bali’s Regional Research and Innovation Agency (BRIDA) for a joint study on developing new orchid varieties native to Bali. As part of their collaborative research, teams from both universities conducted observation and cultivation trials aimed at producing indoor-friendly orchid bonsai suitable for various environments. 

The Faculty of Language, Arts, and Culture (FBSB) at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) successfully hosted BIPA Camp 2025 on May 30–31 under the theme “Synergy with Nature in BIPA Achievement.” This annual event brought together 45 participants from local and international institutions, including students from Yunnan Minzu University, BLCU, GDUFS, and Sanata Dharma University, aiming to enrich the experience of learning and teaching Bahasa Indonesia for foreign speakers (BIPA).

Students and lecturers from the Physical Education, Health, and Recreation (PJKR) Study Program at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) conducted a community service initiative on May 26–27, 2025, by assisting adaptive physical education activities at several Special Needs Schools (SLB) across Yogyakarta. The project served as a final assignment for the Adaptive Physical Education course and was integrated into a community service program led by the course’s teaching team.

On June 2, 2025, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) held a solemn ceremony to commemorate Pancasila Day, reaffirming its dedication to Indonesia's foundational ideology. The event, attended by university leaders, faculty, staff, and student representatives, took place at the UNY Rectorate courtyard. The ceremony aimed to honor the values of Pancasila and strengthen the university community's commitment to national unity and integrity.

To strengthen disaster preparedness at the community level, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), through its Center for Work Safety, Health, and Environment (Pusat K3L), joined hands with the Indonesian Fire Safety Professional Society (MPK2I) to train residents of Kampung Mas Bumijo Kulon in fire prevention and emergency response. Held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, this initiative was particularly focused on empowering women—especially homemakers—to take the lead as first responders in local fire emergencies.

Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) paid a heartfelt tribute to Iqbal, a student from the Faculty of Engineering, who passed away shortly before his graduation. Although he had completed all academic requirements, Iqbal couldn’t attend the ceremony. In his place, his brother walked to the stage to receive his diploma—an emotional moment that brought quiet reflection and support from the entire audience.

On May 31, 2025, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) held its fourth graduation ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic year at the UNY Sports Hall (GOR UNY). A total of 1,579 graduates were officially conferred degrees, comprising 69 doctoral, 302 master's, 1,044 bachelor's, and 164 applied bachelor's graduates. The ceremony was also broadcast live through the university's official channels, allowing wider participation from families and the academic community.

A group of students from the Department of Nonformal Education at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) initiated a community empowerment program titled “From Waste to Blessings: Optimizing Circular Economy Empowerment for Widows through Eco-Friendly Prayer Bead Innovation.” Implemented from February to May 2025, the program was led by Rubiyantiningsih, Fitri Padmawati, Sabrinasurya Maharani, and Dinda Nurlisa Septiana.

In a meaningful step toward preparing future business leaders, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia on May 23, 2025. The signing, held at the FMIPA UGM campus, marked the beginning of a shared mission: to equip UNY students and graduates with the mindset, skills, and confidence to become successful entrepreneurs at both the national and global levels.