A milestone ceremony becomes a meditation on struggle, gratitude, and the uncertain roads ahead.

On a warm Thursday afternoon in Yogyakarta, sunlight streamed through the glass panels of UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s Multipurpose Building, washing over rows of graduation gowns. The hall fell into a reverent hush, as if everyone sensed this moment was bigger than a ceremony—more like a long, steady exhale after years of holding one’s breath. Students sat with a mix of pride and disbelief, while parents—many who had traveled far and sacrificed quietly—watched with wordless tenderness.

As the music faded and the room stilled, every gaze shifted to the podium where the Rector began to speak.

The Weight Behind a Diploma

“Success,” said Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, “comes from your courage to face challenges. But never forget the sacrifices of your parents—working day and night, praying endlessly.”

His tone softened as he quoted You Raise Me Up, letting the lyrics drift across the hall like a prayer:
“You raise me up… so I can stand on mountains.”

A quiet tremor filled the room. Behind every medal and diploma, people suddenly saw the hidden stories—late-night shifts, borrowed money, unspoken fears, the quiet endurance of parents who pushed their children forward even when they were exhausted themselves.

Success, the Rector reminded them, is not built on intellect alone. It is shaped by affection, resilience, humility, and the human values that universities must nurture as carefully as any academic curriculum.

What the University Wants Its Graduates to Carry

He emphasized UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s commitment to an educational philosophy that is integrative, innovative, and continuously evolving.
“We want graduates who think critically and adapt swiftly,” he said, “yet remain ethical, disciplined, and loyal to humanity.”

In a world overwhelmed by instant gratification and digital noise, reflection becomes a kind of internal compass. Without it, he warned, it’s easy to be swept away by the pace of online life—losing direction and purpose.

“Success rarely arrives instantly. There will be dark moments,” he continued. “You may feel defeated or sidelined. But falling is never the end, as long as you rise with a steadier heart.”

A Celebration of Those Who Went Further, Faster

This year’s ceremony confirmed the graduation of 580 students across three faculties:

• Science and Technology — 197 graduates
• Adab and Cultural Sciences — 185 graduates
• Da’wah and Communication — 198 graduates

Exceptional achievers from each level were honored for completing their academic journeys at remarkable speed and excellence.
Among the standout graduates were:

• Fina Rahma Sari, Library Science, GPA 3.89, study period 3 years, 10 months, 15 days
• Muhammad Javier Badruttamam, Informatics, GPA 3.93, study period 3 years, 11 months, 6 days
• Rani Octavianur, Islamic Management, GPA 3.92, study period 3 years, 9 months, 16 days

At the master’s level, the momentum continued:

• Deden Ka’bal Umam, Arabic Language and Literature, GPA 3.88
• Cindy Caroline, Industrial Engineering, GPA 3.98
• Rara Eka Yurika, Islamic Counseling, GPA 4.00 — a perfect score achieved in 1 year, 10 months, 4 days

Their achievements told stories of discipline, focus, and the relentless push to reach beyond expectations.

“Maybe This Isn’t the Peak—Maybe It’s the Pathway.”

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Javier delivered a message that cut through the emotional atmosphere with clarity and conviction.

“This is not the peak of our achievements,” he said. “It may be the beginning of a new climb. There is another mountain ahead.”

He urged his peers to confront fear with boldness, transform anxiety into trust, and embrace failure not as defeat but as proof of effort.
“Failure is simply a reminder that we tried,” he said. “For the wise, it is a lesson—one worth carrying forward.”

Where an Ending Becomes a Beginning

By the end of the ceremony, applause echoed through the hall, but it was a soft, reflective kind of applause—the kind that carries gratitude more than celebration.

Everything that begins must end. But some endings merely shift the story into another chapter.

UIN Sunan Kalijaga believes its graduates now carry more than knowledge: they carry character, resilience, and a sense of humanity sharpened through experience. These, the Rector said, will be their anchors in a world where challenges rise like waves.

As the graduates walked out into the late-afternoon light—caps in hand, eyes bright with hope—they stepped across a threshold. Campus life had reached its final page. Their real story, however, was just beginning.

Step forward with courage. Build your dreams with conviction. And let your achievements carve marks time cannot erase.

Your next chapter starts now.