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| Nikos Panayiotou, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus, in front of thousands of graduates from Muhammadiyah Malang University (UMM) (Photo: Nanan Humas) |
The graduation ceremony is more than just symbolic; it represents the process of self-development in honing skills, building professionalism, and setting life goals. This was conveyed by Nikos Panayiotou, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus, in front of thousands of graduates from Muhammadiyah Malang University (UMM) on November 21. He also shared three important principles that guide his life. These include a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world, boundless creativity, and a passionate drive to achieve something.
"The universe is full of wonders and mysteries that are interesting to discover the answers to. Even if it doesn't lead to concrete answers, the process of exploration itself is invaluable. Allow ourselves to make mistakes, learn from them, and keep moving forward without getting stuck in the same hole twice," he added.
In addition to these three points, the support of his parents was key to his success. As the only family member who had the opportunity to pursue higher education, Nikos expressed his gratitude for being raised in a family that always supported him. He also felt fortunate to work in Indonesia, a country rich in history and natural beauty.
"Congratulations to all the graduates. I believe you have worked hard to achieve this, and you all deserve to feel proud. Life always has its challenges and hopes. The fact that we never know what will happen in the future forces us to remain hopeful, even when it's hard to feel optimistic," he advised
On the other hand, Dra. Rukmini, M.Ap., the Regional Leader of Aisyiyah East Java, emphasized that each one of us is a leader and will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment. Therefore, humans must live with knowledge and strive to be beneficial to others. She advised that Allah will certainly honor the degree of those who possess knowledge and good character, wherever they stand.
"My students, wherever you are, be someone who means something and is beneficial to those around you. Never abandon your prayers, because prayer is the key to all our deeds in the hereafter," she said.
Meanwhile, UMM Rector Prof. Nazaruddin Malik, M.Si., stated that UMM is always committed to continually improving the quality of the learning environment at the White Campus. In addition to infrastructure, a comfortable learning environment can stimulate academic staff and students to enhance their enthusiasm for learning. Nazar also mentioned that a good learning experience will foster a positive work ethic, mastery of technology, and high empathy. (din/wil/fajr)
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