Yogyakarta university names award recipients
Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta
Former minister of the environment Emil Salim and former rector of the Jakarta Teachers Training Institute (IKIP) Conny Semiawan will receive Hamengkubuwono IX Awards from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta.
The two recipients will be awarded for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields of expertise.
UGM rector Sofian Effendi said on Tuesday that both figures had been selected out of 36 candidates, including three women, with various backgrounds of expertise.
"It's not an easy task indeed. But, we finally came to a decision that these two deserve the award this year," Sofian told a press conference at the Gama Giri Mandiri Hall in Giri Rejo village, Bantul regency.
He said Emil had been selected for his extraordinary contribution in the field of the environment, especially in his continuous efforts to generate environmental awareness nationwide.
Conny, whose institute has since been renamed the Jakarta State University (UNJ), was selected for her great contribution to formulating the concept of the country's elementary and secondary education, Sofian said.
He said the award would be conferred during a ceremony scheduled for Dec. 19 at the university's Graha Sabha Pramana Hall to commemorate UGM's 54th anniversary.
The two Hamengkubuwono IX Award recipients will give speeches in a special ceremony to be held on the following evening at Yogyakarta Kraton.
The Hamengkubuwono IX Award is presented to figures who have made outstanding contributions in their respective fields of expertise or professions.
Ten others have been presented with awards since it was first introduced in 1991 to former UGM rector Herman Johannes and former minister of foreign affairs Mochtar Kusumaatmadja.
Other recipients include an environmental expert from Padjadjaran University, Otto Soemarwoto, archeologist Soekmono, UGM historian Sartono Kartodirdjo, UGM paleontologist Teuku Jacob, former religious affairs minister Mukti Ali, sociologist Selo Sumardjan, artist Muhammad Rusli and academic Makaminan Makagiansar.