EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA — Emotions and joy filled the 27th Commencement Ceremony of the University of ‘Aisyiyah (UNISA) Yogyakarta, held at the Walidah Dahlan Mosque Convention Hall on Wednesday (30/9).
Among the hundreds of graduates was a story of cross-cultural and interfaith encounter through education and humanitarian service. It came from Sister Dulce Maria Guterres, FDCC, a Catholic nun from Timor-Leste who earned a master’s degree in midwifery from UNISA Yogyakarta’s Faculty of Health Sciences.
Studying at an institution rooted in Islamic values initially made Sister Dulce anxious. Her age and various personal limitations also raised doubts when she first arrived at UNISA Yogyakarta.
Those concerns, however, gradually faded as she experienced a warm welcome from the university community.
“Those concerns gradually faded in the face of sincerity. The warmth, gentleness and openness of the entire university community welcomed my presence. UNISA is not merely a higher education institution, but an oasis and a spiritual home that provides a sense of security and peace for the soul,” Sister Dulce said in a speech representing the graduates.
Sister Dulce came to Indonesia as a delegate of the Instituto de Ciência de Saúde (ICS) in Dili with support from the Graça de Deus Foundation. During her studies, she also experienced life alongside students living in the university dormitory.
As a Catholic nun, she said she was met with respect, affection and a sense of peace throughout her academic life at UNISA Yogyakarta.
“This experience has further strengthened my conviction that knowledge and humanitarian service are universal callings. Both can break down every barrier of difference, whether in age, cultural background, or faith,” she said.
She hopes her graduation will contribute to strengthening relations between Timor-Leste and Indonesia, particularly through cooperation in health care and humanitarian affairs.
Education as a Bridge Across Differences
Meanwhile, in her remarks, the rector of UNISA Yogyakarta expressed appreciation to the graduates and their parents for entrusting the university with their education.
At its 27th commencement, UNISA Yogyakarta graduated 928 students from master’s, bachelor’s, applied bachelor’s, and diploma programs. Of these, 779 graduates, or 83.94 percent, graduated cum laude. The highest GPA was a perfect 4.00, achieved by a graduate of the postgraduate program, while the average GPA was 3.92.
The rector reminded graduates that their diplomas and academic degrees do not mark the end of their pursuit of knowledge. Instead, they represent the beginning of their journey into a rapidly changing world filled with new challenges and dynamics.
“Technology may become increasingly advanced, but integrity must never be replaced. Artificial intelligence may help us work faster, but empathy, compassion, responsibility and the ability to understand people remain essential strengths,” the rector said.
The rector also emphasized the importance of graduates continuing to uphold the values associated with their alma mater: character, trustworthiness, professionalism, collaboration, and excellence.
These values, the rector said, must equip graduates to continue benefiting others and contributing to solutions to various challenges facing society.
