Surakarta, 19 June 2026 – The Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) proudly hosted its Period IV Faculty Graduation Ceremony for the 2025/2026 Academic Year. The event took place in the Seminar Room on the 5th Floor of the UMS Postgraduate School building on Friday (19/6/2026). This momentous occasion marked the culmination of the students’ academic journeys.
This graduation send-off was far more than a mere ceremonial farewell; it served as a testament to the Faculty’s unwavering commitment to ensuring its students graduate on time. Timely degree completion is highly regarded as a key indicator of success in delivering a high-quality educational process.
The faculty-level graduation ceremony was both festive and profoundly solemn. The official proceedings commenced with opening remarks, a recitation of the Holy Qur’an, and the singing of the Indonesian national anthem ‘Indonesia Raya’, ‘Sang Surya’, and the HIMPSI Psychology march. This was followed by a prayer led by a senior lecturer from the UMS Faculty of Psychology, Drs. Soleh Amini Yahman, M.Si., Psikolog.
The atmosphere was made even more memorable by an artistic performance from the Faculty’s student theatre group, UKM Teater Lugu. They contributed a beautifully rendered farewell song performed by Hiranya Jingga Rain Arundaya and Qomariah Naya Paramita, providing both entertainment and a deeply emotional moment for all the graduates and parents in attendance.
Through this graduation, the UMS Faculty of Psychology hopes that its alumni will continue to uphold the alma mater’s good name, apply the knowledge they have acquired, and make meaningful contributions to wider society amidst the ever-changing times.
The Dean of the UMS Faculty of Psychology, Dr. Lisnawati Ruhaina, S.Psi., M.Si., Psikolog, noted the abundance of both academic and non-academic achievements the students had accomplished. This, she stated, demonstrates that graduates of the UMS Faculty of Psychology are well-prepared to face the challenges of the modern era. She further explained that the faculty provides comprehensive educational pathways for its graduates’ career development, ranging from a Master’s in Psychology (S2) and a Doctorate in Psychology (S3) to Professional Psychology Education. Addressing the current era of global uncertainty, she advised:
“This uncertainty is indeed inevitable, but we possess a certainty. Our absolute certainty is that we have a backup: Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala. And we know that when we utilise our closeness to Allah, everything will feel reassuring. Congratulations on facing new challenges now that you have successfully navigated the previous ones. God willing, the upcoming challenges will bring you to true maturity, because you will undoubtedly face life’s real tests,” explained Dr. Lisnawati.
Furthermore, the Dean encouraged graduates to leverage their alumni network through IKAPSI (Psychology Alumni Family) to seek employment opportunities, strengthen bonds of kinship, and collectively build optimism, concluding her speech with a rousing cheer of “Psikologi Jaya!” (Psychology Triumphs!).
The event proceeded with the sacred, symbolic handover of pennants (vendel) to the graduates by the Dean and the Head of the Study Programme, marking their official release from university life into genuine public service.
Not to be forgotten, the representative for the graduates’ parents, Mrs. Ucik Marliani, delivered a warm speech filled with pride and gratitude to everyone involved in guiding their children’s long journey to achieving their dreams. She urged the graduates to continue learning as the world changes rapidly, to maintain curiosity as their greatest asset, and to always prioritise ethics and empathy. She shared a profound message, “Going home is not merely about finding a place to rest; rather, home is the most comforting of places,” and concluded with a traditional pantun (poem):
“Going to the market to buy some prawns,
Cooked too spicy, a fiery test.
To the graduates, as a new day dawns,
Strive for the future and achieve your best,” said Mrs. Ucik.
A deeply moving moment also came from the valedictorian of the Undergraduate (S1) programme, Tegar Aji Putra Pamungkas. In his reflection on his four years of study, he shared that the greatest challenge was not merely grades, but rather life management—balancing university societies, assignments, friendships, and personal targets. For him, the study of psychology taught the vital importance of empathy and understanding oneself without judgement. Tegar expressed his profound appreciation to his lecturers, family, and peers, whilst leaving a poignant message for the future:
“Do not measure your worth by how quickly you arrive, but measure it also by how far you have grown. Ultimately, life is not a competition of who is the fastest, but a journey of becoming a better human being day by day,” remarked Tegar.
A similar sentiment of joy was expressed by the representative of the Master’s (S2) programme graduates, Mrs. Eti Handayani. Through a series of creative pantuns, Mrs. Eti shared:
“To the morning market for duku and greens,
Not forgetting some basil to buy.
Thank you, lecturers and supervisors behind the scenes,
For your patience with our thesis drafts piled high.”“Taking a stroll down to Blitar town,
Buying clothes before the sun sets low.
Now in our clever bachelor’s or master’s gown,
It is time to apply the knowledge we know,” recited Mrs. Eti.
