The Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), held a Postgraduate Graduation Release Ceremony for the 2025/2026 Academic Year on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, at the 3rd Floor of the Margono Soeradji Building, FKG UGM. A total of 27 graduates were officially released, consisting of 8 graduates from the Doctoral Program in Dental Sciences, 7 graduates from the Periodontics Specialist Program, and 12 graduates from the Pediatric Dentistry Specialist Program.
All graduates from this period achieved cum laude honors, with four of them recording a perfect Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.00. In addition, three students received outstanding graduate awards: Dr. drg. Andreas Tjandra, Sp.Perio, FISID, from the Doctoral Program in Dental Sciences; drg. Christian Oliver Wijaya, Sp.Perio, from the Periodontics Specialist Program; and drg. Endytiastuti, MDSc., Sp.KGA, from the Pediatric Dentistry Specialist Program.
In his speech, Dean of FKG UGM, Prof. Dr. drg. Suryono, S.H., M.M., Ph.D., expressed his deep appreciation for the achievements of the graduates. He emphasized that completing specialist or doctoral education must be accompanied by integrity and spiritual well-being when serving the community.
“Graduates of FKG UGM are not only required to possess excellent competence and strong character, but they must also maintain spiritual well-being,” said Prof. Suryono. According to him, spiritual health serves as a fundamental foundation for maintaining honesty, professional ethics, and preventing abuse of authority when graduates assume responsibilities or public positions in the future. The Philosophy of Perseverance and Dedication
A philosophical story about perseverance and dedication was also delivered by the representative of the Heads of Study Programs, Prof. drg. Ika Dewi Ana, M.Kes., Ph.D. In her speech, Prof. Ika shared stories of serendipity—valuable discoveries born from the persistence of world scientists such as Marie Curie and Hideki Shirakawa. She reminded the graduates that the essence of learning is a process of inner refinement that requires humility, honesty, and consistency.
Prof. Ika also highlighted that the proportion of doctoral degree holders in Indonesia currently reaches only 0.02% of the total population. According to her, this situation represents both a challenge and a major responsibility for postgraduate graduates to apply their knowledge in improving public health outcomes.
Meanwhile, graduate representative Dr. drg. Andina Rizkia Putri Kusuma, Sp.KG, expressed her deepest gratitude and appreciation to lecturers, families, and the entire FKG UGM academic community who had guided their academic journey. She emphasized the commitment of all alumni to continue upholding the reputation of their alma mater and transforming the knowledge they gained into meaningful contributions for society.
(Reporters: Azzra, Anisa, Andri Wicaksono | Photographer: Fajar Budi Harsakti)