UPNVJ Public Relations – The National Development University “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ) held its 76th Graduation Ceremony at the Jakarta International Convention Center on Monday, May 18, 2026. A total of 1,816 graduates were officially inaugurated in a two-session ceremony with the theme “Becoming Competent, Adaptive, and National Defense-Characterized Graduates.” This momentum affirms UPNVJ’s commitment to producing graduates who are not only academically superior but also ready to face changes in the world of work with the value of devotion to the nation.

The number of graduates consists of 1,465 graduates of the Bachelor's Program, 38 graduates of the Master's Program, 281 graduates of the Professional Education Program, and 32 graduates of the Diploma 3 Program. All graduates are expected to be able to bring the good name of their alma mater through competence, integrity, and character of defending the country in social life and the professional world.

The graduation ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Yassierli, Ph.D., and the Director of Talent Development, Research, and Development of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Heri Kuswanto, M.Si., who represented the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia. The presence of these national figures is a form of support for strengthening the quality of graduates from Indonesian universities.

The main event began with the transfer of the graduates' braids by UPNVJ Rector, Prof. Anter Venus, as a symbol of graduation. In his remarks, the Rector advised the graduates to become a "brain growth generation ," a generation that continues to grow, adapt, and maintains the quality of their thinking amidst the rapid flow of digital information.

Prof. Venus emphasized that college graduates should not stop learning after receiving their diplomas. Citing the Latin phrase "Non Scholae Sed Vitae Discimus ," he said that humans learn not solely for school, but for life.

"The world is changing too rapidly to be faced with static knowledge. We are required to continuously evolve for future relevance," said Prof. Venus.

According to Prof. Venus, the challenges facing graduates today extend beyond mastery of knowledge to analytical thinking, leadership, flexibility, technological literacy, and character resilience. National defense values are a crucial foundation for directing graduates' competencies to benefit society, the nation, and the state.

The graduation ceremony then continued with the presentation of diplomas and congratulations from the deans to the graduates. A solemn atmosphere was also felt during the reading of the Graduate Pledge, which all participants took part in as a moral commitment to uphold the honor of their alma mater and practice their knowledge responsibly.

On the occasion, UPNVJ presented the Karya Mahardika award to outstanding graduate Fadhil Muhammad Indiyarto, a graduate of the Law Study Program. This award was given for outstanding academic and non-academic achievements, including publications in scientific journals and achievements in pencak silat at the national and international levels, with a cumulative score of 106.125.

Representatives of the graduates, Alifya Rayyani Shofiya and Miska Anayya, also expressed their gratitude to the lecturers, educational staff, parents, and all those who had supported them throughout their educational journey. These remarks reflected the fact that graduation is not only a personal achievement but also the result of the support of their families and the campus academic community.

The graduation ceremony was filled with emotion as UPNVJ invited all attendees to remember two graduates who had passed away: the late Siti Rahil Aulia Zein and the late Rizka Widyaningtias. In a reverent atmosphere, the diplomas were presented to their parents or family representatives as a token of appreciation for their academic endeavors.

The 76th Graduation Ceremony concluded with the handover of alumni to the Chair of the UPNVJ Alumni Association, symbolizing the graduates' entry into the extended alumni family. Through this momentum, UPNVJ affirmed its commitment to continuously producing competent, adaptable human resources with a national defense character and capable of contributing to national development.

For Prof. Venus, the success of a graduation ceremony is measured not only by the number of graduates, but also by the extent to which they are able to carry UPNVJ's values into broader areas of service. Therefore, the 76th Graduation Ceremony serves as a reminder that higher education must produce learners who continue to grow, are relevant to the times, and stand on the side of the nation's interests.