Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) held its first graduation ceremony in 2020 after a long pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This graduation was attended by 3,386 students, divided into online and offline, taking place at the UMS Edutorium, Friday-Saturday (20-21/11/2020).
“This is the first graduation in 2020. The three graduation periods were combined because they were delayed due to Covid-19. Divided online and offline graduations with details offline there are 1,993 graduates and around 1,400 online graduates,” said UMS Chancellor Prof Sofyan Anif, Friday (20/11).
Combined graduation from the 3 year period 2019/2020, the 4 year period 2019/2020 and the 1 year period 2020/2021. It is carried out with extra strict health protocols (Promes), i.e. everyone is required to wear a mask and wash their hands and is prohibited from gathering in groups. The committee, rectorate and graduates are required to show a rapid test letter with a negative result.
“We have deployed a disciplinary enforcement task force to remind and arrange for all parties involved in the graduation at the Edutorium to comply with the prokes,” said the Chancellor.
The Head of the Graduation Committee, Dr Triyono MSi, added that in accordance with the direction of the Covid19 Task Force, the graduation process must minimize face-to-face contact. All graduation and administrative supplies are done online, even the gowns have been sent directly to the graduates’ addresses ahead of time.
Likewise for the offline procession, according to the maximum building capacity for 500 graduates. So the graduation this time was held for four sessions. Namely Friday (11/20/2020) the first session at 08.00-09.30 WIB and the second session at 13.00 WIB. For Saturday (11/21) at 08.00 WIB and 13.00 WIB.
“We also calculated the graduation process carefully. From 500 graduates it is estimated that it will take 75 minutes. But it turned out that in only 65 minutes it was finished,” said Triyono.
The graduation procession was only attended by graduates who could enter the Edutorium, parents or relatives of the introductory only escorted and asked to return.
Triyono added, after this graduation, there are plans for another graduation for the period of 2 years 2020/2021 in December. “There are already 800 applicants for graduation for the month of December. But we are still coordinating with the Covid Task Force whether it can be carried out again or not,” said Triyono, who is also the chairman of BAA UMS.