Public Relations of UPNVJ — The Open Senate Session of the 76th Graduation Ceremony of the National Development University 'Veteran' Jakarta was marked by a touching message from the representative of the graduates, Alifya Rayyani Shofiy, a graduate of the Undergraduate Program in Medicine, Faculty of Medicine. In her acceptance speech delivered before university leaders, lecturers, families, and thousands of graduates, Alifya encouraged all graduates to remember the long struggle during their education and to interpret graduation as the beginning of a new journey in life.
Opening her remarks, Alifya expressed her gratitude for the graduates' success in completing their challenging academic journey. She described graduation as a milestone that was once only a dream, but has now been achieved through hard work.
“Today, as we sit gracefully in our togas and listen to our names being called one by one, it’s hard not to look back and remember the version of ourselves we were at the beginning of our studies,” Alifya said.
In her speech, Alifya highlighted the various dynamics of student life experienced by the graduates during their studies. These included academic pressure, organizational commitments, demanding expectations, and the fear of failure and being left behind. However, she argued that these processes actually shape students into more resilient and mature individuals.
He emphasized that college isn't just about pursuing grades and degrees, but also about learning to survive, understand others, and discover oneself. He believes that campus has become a home that unites students from diverse backgrounds to grow together to become the best versions of themselves.
Alifya also reminisced about the simple moments during her studies that now feel so precious. Classrooms, late-night discussions, assignments with tight deadlines, the thesis writing process, and even casual conversations with fellow students are all pieces of memory that will forever be cherished by graduates.
On that occasion, Alifya also expressed her deep appreciation to the university, lecturers, educational staff, parents, and fellow students who have been an important part of the graduates' academic journey.
She described the lecturers as not only instructors in the classroom, but also figures who instilled life values, responsibility, integrity, and a spirit of struggle. Meanwhile, Alifya expressed her gratitude to her family for their prayers, sacrifices, and unwavering support throughout her education.
"Today is not just a celebration of our success, but a celebration of victory for the entire family who has always faithfully walked side by side with us through every step of the process," he said.
Toward the end of her speech, Alifya encouraged all graduates to appreciate themselves for their resilience through the various difficult stages of their studies. She emphasized that graduation is not the end of the journey, but rather a gateway to greater challenges and dreams.
"The graduation we celebrate today is not a final point that stops us in our tracks, but rather a gateway to a new chapter that will propel us toward more realistic challenges, grander dreams, and more challenging life stories," he said.
Alifya's speech received a warm welcome from the audience because it was considered capable of representing the feelings of the graduates who had gone through a long journey until finally officially holding a bachelor's degree at the 76th Graduation Ceremony of UPN "Veteran" Jakarta.