Anies Urges Graduates to Be Resilient Despite Difficult Conditions
Representing the Board of Experts of the Central Executive of Keluarga Gadjah Mada (PP Kagama), Anies Baswedan attended the S1 and S2 graduation ceremony at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, at Grha Sabha Pramana.
On the occasion, Anies urged the graduates to strive harder because the challenges of the era are greater. ‘I say to my fellow graduates: you are graduating in difficult times, entering a job market that is challenging, and the economy is slowing,’ he said.
In times when the economy looks heavy, the former Minister of Education called on the graduates to be resilient. He also shared a historical reflection: history shows that generations who graduate amid crises or difficult times manage to forge themselves into remarkable individuals.
According to Anies, constraints and external pressures are a primary catalyst for cultivating resilient characters not found in those who grew up in a comfort zone. ‘Our history shows those who graduate in hard times grow with tenacity and the ability to confront problems.’
Anies asked the graduates to build a strong psychological defence to avoid being swayed by early career setbacks, given that future challenges are dynamic. ‘I urge the graduates to be resilient, not easily giving up even when the terrain is tough,’ said the former presidential candidate in the 2024 election.
Beyond mental preparedness for a slowing economy, Anies also highlighted the importance of maintaining moral integrity. He reminded the graduates to always shield themselves with good ethics and to protect both their own good name and that of their alma mater. ‘The knowledge gained at university can be implemented to benefit society as widely as possible.’
Before thousands of UGM graduates, Anies reminded that graduation day is indeed a special moment. Yet the journey ahead will be filled with long ordinary days. ‘Tomorrow is a normal day, and the real test does not occur on a day as special as today, but on the long ordinary days that follow.’
According to Anies, difficult conditions or easy phases are not the main factors determining the direction of a person’s future life. The most decisive element is the individual’s capacity to keep learning and to endure in the face of every situation.
Therefore, he urged all young graduates not to fear global uncertainty, recognising that every generation faces its own challenges. He also discussed the dynamics of the first job, which is often undervalued or deemed less than ideal by new graduates.
He stated that the essence of the first job is not merely to seek a high position or large earnings, but to be the primary space for basic character formation. ‘Through the first work experience, one is required to learn to uphold responsibility, keep promises, and complete simple tasks with full seriousness,’ he said.
The small experiences that may seem trivial will transform into a solid foundation for long-term career progression. ‘Do not wait for a perfect job to give your best, because character is formed by small things done with responsibility,’ Anies added.
Anies also reminded graduates of the real challenges when they begin entering professional institutions and work environments. In the workplace, one can gradually lose their ideals by habitually following an unhealthy environment.
To anticipate this, he stressed the importance for young generations to maintain a positive circle of friends, cultivate a reading habit, and continually recall the initial reasons for choosing that path. He emphasised that life principles must be upheld even as roles and circumstances change.