UGM graduates 1,225 students

YOGYAKARTA: State Gadjah Mada University (UGM) marked its golden anniversary with the commencement of 1,225 graduates on Thursday.

The university's rector, Ichalsul Amal, said the country's oldest university produced 98,234 graduates from all programs since it was founded in 1949. The figure includes 10,559 holders of master's degrees and 367 doctorate holders.

In his speech, Ichasul asked the fresh graduates to uphold the university's long-standing ideals of maintaining moral values and improving people's welfare.

"I hope you, brothers and sisters, will uphold the behavior which is compulsory to all members of the university's family," Ichalsul said as quoted by Antara.

The university celebrates its 50th anniversary on Dec. 19.

Some of its graduates hold key positions in the country. They include People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, Minister of Finance Bambang Sudibyo, Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin and State Minister of Research and Technology Muhammad A.S. Hikam.