An atmosphere filled with emotion, pride, and warmth surrounded the May 2026 dental professional graduation ceremony at FKG UGM (25/05/2026). A total of 47 professional dental students were officially declared graduates and are now ready to take on the responsibility of becoming new dentists, carrying dreams, long struggles, and inspiring stories beyond academics alone.
The Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of FKG UGM, Prof. drg. Rosa Amalia, M.Kes., Ph.D., stated in her speech that this year’s graduates achieved remarkable accomplishments. Out of the 47 graduates, 22 students earned cum laude honors. Meanwhile, the fastest study completion was achieved by Maulinda Zaidatul, who completed the professional program in only 1 year and 11 months, while the highest GPA of 4.00 was earned by Putri Khalista Nugraha.
“This is an extraordinary achievement from all of you. Our hope is that FKG UGM graduates will not only graduate on time, but also possess competencies that truly meet professional standards,” said Prof. Rosa.
Academic excellence was also reflected in national examination results. Nurulita achieved a score of 96.67 and ranked among the nation’s best, followed by Haidar Amalia and Intan Zahabia with scores of 95.
However, beyond numbers and GPA achievements, this graduation ceremony also presented touching human stories — including one particularly special story from neighboring Malaysia.
The story came from Amanjot Kaur A/P Harvinder Singh, a professional dental student from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who chose to pursue her dental education at FKG UGM after facing intense competition for public university admission in her home country. She admitted that she chose FKG UGM because of its strong reputation in Southeast Asia.
Aman, as she is commonly called, began her education in 2018 and had to overcome various challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic period, during which two of her friends chose to return to Malaysia. She became the last student from her original group to remain and eventually graduate from FKG UGM.
Nevertheless, studying in Indonesia provided her with many valuable lessons. She considered Indonesia’s professional dental education system to offer much more intensive clinical experience compared to that in her country.
“Here, we have to find patients ourselves, and there are many case requirements The skills we gain become much broader,” she said.
Her statement reflects the reality of professional dental education, which is far from easy. Students are required not only to master theory and clinical skills, but also to actively seek patients, adapt to social environments, and overcome language and cultural barriers.
Aman even admitted that she often found patients through daily interactions, including while using ride-hailing transportation services. “Sometimes I get patients from ride-hailing trips,” she said with a small laugh.
Yogyakarta’s multicultural environment also became a unique experience for her. She chose to live with friends from different regions and cultural backgrounds to adapt more easily. During her studies, she actively participated in the Malaysian Student Association in Indonesia and several other student activities.
Throughout her academic journey, Aman said she was greatly inspired by lecturers at FKG UGM, especially in oral surgery.
“Maybe Dr. Yusti, my supervisor. She often gave advice and additional material for specific cases,” she said.
Meanwhile, lecturers also delivered emotional and reflective messages to the graduates. One lecturer reminded them that life after university would be far more difficult than their years in education.
“No matter how hard things were at UGM, the outside world will be much tougher,” the lecturer said, greeted by laughter and applause from the audience.
Another recurring message throughout the forum emphasized the importance of maintaining the alma mater’s reputation and prioritizing service to society over purely material goals.
“Do not seek to make as much money as possible from patients,” advised drg. Cahya Yustisia Hasan, Sp.BM.,
to the graduates.
At the end of the ceremony, the atmosphere turned emotional as student representatives delivered gratitude to all lecturers and educational staff who had accompanied them throughout their journey.
“We sincerely apologize for any mistakes during our education. We hope the knowledge shared by our lecturers can be applied well and help us become competent dentists who benefit society,” said the graduate representative.
The May 2026 graduation ceremony marked the birth of a new generation of FKG UGM dentists who are not only academically excellent, but also shaped by strong social, cultural, and humanitarian experiences. From clinical rooms in teaching hospitals to the struggle of finding patients throughout Yogyakarta, they are now stepping into the real world of service.
For FKG UGM, the success of these 47 graduates is not merely an academic statistic. It reflects a long educational process that produces healthcare professionals with resilience, empathy, and competence.
(Reporter: Andri Wicaksono, Photographer: Fajar Budi Harsakti)
