Welcoming New Undergraduate Students, FMIPA UI Holds PSAF with a Series of Interesting and Inspiring Activities

Tuesday morning (15/8/2023), an atmosphere full of enthusiasm and enthusiasm was seen at the main entrance area of ​​the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI). That bright morning was the first day of the Faculty Academic System Introduction (PSAF) series of activities, as a warm welcome to new undergraduate students of the 2023/2024 Academic Year of FMIPA UI.

The area witnessed the first steps of new FMIPA UI students. There, students gathered to fill out the attendance list before being directed to the activity center at the FMIPA UI Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory Building - PT Pertamina, UI Campus, Depok. The activity, chaired by Alexandra G.M Samantha (Chemistry 2021) under the guidance of Dr. Dewi Susiloningtyas as Student Manager, took place until August 16 and 18, 2023.

This year, FMIPA UI accepted 1,053 new students from 9 undergraduate study programs. In this activity entitled "Build Competence, Realize Dreams in the Future", they were given an introduction and overview of the campus environment, academic system, and college life while being a student at FMIPA UI.

Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs of FMIPA UI, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Budiawan, who in this case represented the Dean of FMIPA UI who was unable to attend, officially opened the event.

"Welcome new students to our beloved campus, FMIPA UI," said Prof. Budiawan opening his speech.

"FMIPA UI is a faculty that continues to develop, a faculty that continues to contribute to the progress of the University of Indonesia, and all of you here are a source of pride for us because you have succeeded in getting the opportunity to develop your potential and abilities at the best campus, FMIPA UI," he said.

Prof. Budiawan also expressed his appreciation to the new students for their enthusiasm in participating in this activity. However, he emphasized that this PSAF is only the first step. According to him, the most important thing is how students can go through the process of studying at FMIPA UI as well as possible so that they are able to achieve and make real contributions to the faculty and university.

Prof. Budiawan hopes that through this introduction to the campus environment, new students of FMIPA UI can get a complete picture and information, so that they can study comfortably and enthusiastically.

Finally, he introduced his staff starting from the Chair of the Board of Professors, Vice Dean for Resources, Ventures, and General Administration, managers, head of the Academic Quality Assurance Unit (UPMA), head of departments and head of study programs.

The first day's activities were then continued with presentations by managers in the UI MIPA Faculty Administration Center environment. Through their presentations, the managers introduced the functions and roles of their respective units to new students.

In addition, new students were also treated to a series of interesting talk shows by presenting inspiring speakers, namely Dr. Drg. Muh. Arief Rosyid, M.KM (Independent Commissioner of PT Bank Syariah Indonesia), and Faldo Maldini, S.Si., M.Res., M.I.P. (Special Staff of the Minister of State Secretary for Communication and Media in a talk show entitled "A Picture of Campus Life".

Both of them talked about the need for students to develop logical, critical, and systematic thinking skills regardless of their major. This kind of thinking ability will be able to help students analyze various problems.

Both Dr. Arief and Faldo advised students to be able to live campus life with full sincerity and responsibility as provisions for post-campus life later. This is because campus life is not only filled with teaching and learning activities, but also reflects social and cultural life.

"Bring your big dreams, realize your achievements, and enliven the campus with your extraordinary energy," Faldo's message to new students.

After watching the talk show depicting campus life, students were then given a description of the next “phase of life” namely “Post-Campus Life”. Present as speakers in the talk show “Post-Campus Life: Government and Companies” were Mr. Awang Lazuardi (Director of Development & Production of PT. Pertamina Hulu Energi), and Dr. Derajat Ridho Sani, M.Com., MPM (Director General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia).

n accordance with its theme, the discussion in this talk show focuses on the challenges in post-campus life. The challenges in post-campus life are said to be diverse. Even new things often emerge that are not taught in college. The world of work today, for example, does not only emphasize the hard skill aspect but soft skills are also very necessary. hardskill only but softskill is also very necessary.

Furthermore, as capital to face the challenges of post-campus life, students in the digital era are required to be creative and adaptive as thorough preparation to be able to compete in the business world and industry.

Even so, post-campus life needs to be faced with optimism because this period is a time to prove what has been learned through formal education. This is the time to prove that the future is in our hands.

New students are increasingly enthusiastic about participating in activities with the game of guessing the picture of the Student Activity Unit (UKM) owned by FMIPA UI, as well as guessing the FMIPA UI Mars song.

Present at the opening ceremony of PSAF MIPA UI were Prof. Dr. Sumi Hudiyono PWS (Chair of the Board of Professors), Heads of Departments and Heads of Study Programs in FMIPA UI.

Another interesting activity was held on the second day of PSAF MIPA UI. FMIPA UI academics, namely Prof. Drs. Jatna Supriatna, Ph.D. Professor of Biology Conservation and (Head of the UI Research Center for Climate Change Unit), and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Dimyati, M.Sc. Professor of the Department of Geography FMIPA UI attended to fill a talk show themed "Scientist Role on Global Climate Issues".Scientist Role on Global Climate Issues”.

Through this talk show, students are expected to be motivated to understand climate change in more detail and contribute to overcoming the issue.

Also present was Mr. Petrus Tjandra, a successful businessman in the palm oil industry to share his inspiring story through a talk show themed "The Role and Contribution of FMIPA UI for the Development of Research and Added Value of Indonesian Palm Oil"

He talked about clothing, food and shelter in Indonesia which are national resilience that is not yet fully sovereign. In fact, according to him, sovereignty can be realized from the hands of researchers with the support of available natural resources.

According to him, palm oil can produce two energy potentials, namely biodiesel and palm oil gasoline. Furthermore, he argued that the pioneers of national agribusiness are palm oil plants and palm oil farmers are carbon absorber heroes.

So he also invited students and researchers to take a role in realizing the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia through research in the fields of science and palm oil. He is optimistic that this is very possible to be realized.

"I am sure that young researchers from the University of Indonesia can support the achievement of the production target of 100 million tons of palm oil in the Golden Year of Indonesia 2045, without deforestation and additional greenhouse gas emissions," said the President Director of PT Agro Investama Group to the new students of FMIPA UI.

Another inspiring resource person is Prof. Bambang Permadi Soemantri Brodjonegoro, S.E., M.U.P., Ph.D. (President Commissioner of PT. Telkom Indonesia and Minister of Research and Technology of Indonesia/Head of the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency for the 2019-2021 period), in a talk show themed "Scientist and Natural Resources Needs in Our Future” he shared his view that researchers should be able to collaborate with industry and government.

In addition to productively conducting research, according to him, researchers also need to be proactive in publishing and presenting their research results to industry and government, so that the research results can be applied and felt by the wider community.

"Researchers must be familiar with the private sector, like Mr. Petrus Tjandra earlier, with (industry) actors, because if you are busy in the lab, but the results never reach the industry, then no one will feel the benefits of your research results (researchers)," said the son of Prof. Soemantri Brodjonegoro, Dean of FMIPA UI for the 1964-1968 period.

As part of the FMIPA UI academic community, new students are directed to implement green environmentally friendly behavior. In addition to bringing personal tumblers as an effort to reduce the use of disposable drinking bottles, students are also directed to sort waste according to its type.

Not only that, new students are also involved in making biopore holes and planting tree seedlings in the FMIPA UI environment. A total of 45 tree seedlings were planted by students accompanied by leaders. It is hoped that this activity can increase students' sense of concern and responsibility for environmental sustainability. This activity also supports the UI GreenMetric program, where in 2022 FMIPA UI managed to win 2nd place in the prestigious ranking in the environmental field.

The official event was closed by the Dean of FMIPA UI Dede Djuhana, Ph.D. on Friday afternoon (18/8/2023) in the plaza area of ​​Building B and the Makara park. The Dean said, "FMIPA UI is not just an educational institution but also a place that can make your dreams and aspirations come true. We are committed to always guiding students in developing their competence, leadership, and social spirit."

However, he emphasized to his students to always prioritize manners and ethics in every activity, and to maintain the good name of the alma mater. The Dean also reminded that in the process of pursuing education, there will be challenges that must be overcome by students. However, he ensured that all components in FMIPA UI starting from the leadership, lecturers, and staff will continue to guide students until they reach graduation.

"This struggle will be full of challenges, but don't worry, you are not alone, we, the entire leadership of FMIPA UI and all existing components, guide you in every step, you have great potential, and we believe that you will be the most important part of the next generation who are able to make a real contribution to the advancement of science," said the Dean.

"Let's live a campus life together that is full of meaning and achievement," he said.

The closing of the activity by the Dean of FMIPA UI marked the beginning of the next activity at the department level, namely the Introduction to the Department Academic System (PSAD). In their respective departments, new students carry out various activities to get to know their departments better under the guidance of the Head of Department and Head of Study Program.

Some of these activities include exchanging insights with lecturers and seniors, getting to know fellow students, introducing the department environment in more detail, such as getting to know the work units along with their staff and rooms, to student associations and their work programs.

This closing activity is also the peak of the PSAF MIPA UI 2023 event. As an appreciation to the new students who have participated in this activity with enthusiasm, the PSAF team provided a stage for them to give their best performance through an arts performance event. In front of their leaders, they performed in groups confidently presenting songs, theatrical dramas, and fashion shows.

News source: https://sci.ui.ac.id/