UNIDA Bogor Sambut Mahasiswa Program PMM Dalam Negeri Angkatan I Tahun 2021

Djuanda University (UNIDA) Bogor officially held a welcoming ceremony for inbound students of the first batch of the Domestic Merdeka Student Exchange Program (PMM) 2021. The event, which took place in the Auditorium of Building C on the UNIDA Bogor campus on Monday, October 25, 2021, was attended by the UNIDA Bogor Chancellor, Rector, Vice-Rectors, Deans, and other invited guests. The theme for the event was "Exchanging Temporarily, Meaningful Forever."

In his report, Dr. La Ode Amril, M.Pd., as the Program Coordinator for PMM at UNIDA Bogor, stated that the total number of students accepted at UNIDA Bogor was 111 from 29 different universities. However, 94 students were present in person as inbound participants.

"Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), the long-awaited day has arrived. Today, the UNIDA Bogor leadership is meeting with the students of the PMM Program Batch 1, 2021. Over the next two months at UNIDA Bogor, PMM students will participate in several activities, including academic learning, both online and offline. There will also be Modul Nusantara activities, which include seven inspiration sessions, three reflection sessions, and one social contribution activity at the end. It's also important to note that the program will conclude with an art and culture show, where students will showcase arts and culture from their respective home regions," he said.

UNIDA Bogor Rector, Dr. Ir. Dede Kardaya, M.Si., symbolically welcomed the students, expressing his delight at their arrival at UNIDA Bogor, one of the best campuses in West Java with the motto "Kampus Bertauhid" (The Monotheistic Campus). He hoped that the PMM program would run smoothly, leaving a positive impression while broadening students' horizons.

"Of course, we thank the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology for facilitating this student exchange program. I hope that while they are here, the students can mingle and exchange ideas. In this pandemic situation, we are challenged to be more creative and innovative, not fixated on the threat of Covid-19. God willing, they will be guided by mentor lecturers along with our student santri from Bina Tauhid," he said in his welcoming speech.

Meanwhile, UNIDA Bogor Chancellor Dr. H. Martin Roestamy, SH., MH, explained that the history of UNIDA Bogor as a "Kampus Bertauhid" originated from the vision of its founder, the late Lt. Gen. (Ret) H. Alamsjah Ratoe Perwiranegara. He stated that the "Kampus Bertauhid" is a campus that teaches students to respect themselves by respecting their God, in accordance with the first principle of Pancasila, the foundation of the Republic of Indonesia.

"A 'Kampus Bertauhid' is a campus that teaches students to place God at the highest level, just like in Pancasila. You did not make the wrong choice," he expressed.

Regarding the PMM program, Dr. H. Martin Roestamy, SH., MH, said that students should make the most of this opportunity. He hoped that the program would not only provide academic learning but also other activities that could improve students' skills, particularly unique skills they can bring back to their home regions.

"Take advantage of this opportunity and don't waste it. I hope that Pak La Ode and his team create a program that not only offers courses but also skills, such as a Cimande Pencak Silat class or other things. Enjoy it, go through it, don't complain too much, get closer to Allah SWT, the one and only God. Don't forget to take care of yourselves and maintain the good name of the campus," he concluded.