UPH Festival 22: New Student Convocation

New Students Convocation by President of UPH, Raymod Liu, Ph.D., handover a smartcard to the representatives of each faculty

On the first day of UPH Festival 22, Wednesday, August 19, 2015, at UPH Grand Chapel on 9 a.m. UPH held convocation for welcoming and inaugurating new students of academic year 2015/2016. The event was started with department flag defile, continued with university senate procession, and the new students sang national anthem ?Indonesia Raya? and UPH Hymn.

The convocation opening and opening speech were delivered by Rector of UPH, Dr. (Hon) Jonathan L. Parapak, M.Eng.Sc. In the beginning of his speech, Dr. Jonathan Parapak motivates the audience, ?Let?s study smart and have a smart learning!? UPH commits to increase the quality of education to give impact to Indonesia. The Rector shared that UPH is a unique campus. ?One of the uniqueness is, UPH as a clean campus, not only physically, but also clean from smoking, drugs, violence, bullying, and cheating,? he said proudly. The Rector believed that by having this cleanliness, it could help the new students to grow deeper in faith in Christ, grow in character, and search for the truth and eventually become a role model for this nation. ?I send my gratitude to all parents and new students for choosing UPH as the place to study. All components of UPH welcome you with thankfulness to be the part of UPH family,? he said while motivating everyone to do the best in glorifies God.

(L-R) UPH Rector, Dr. (Hon) Jonathan L. Parapak & Vie President of Academic Affairs, Connie Rasilim

The next event is a report of new students convocation by Connie Rasilim, S.S., B.Ed, M.Pd, Vice President of Academic Affairs, UPH new students 2015 files consignment to dean, and inauguration of new students symbolically by Raymond Liu, Ph.D., President of UPH.

Founder of UPH, Dr. (Hon) James T. Riady also welcomed the new students of UPH. He has been very proud to the new students, especially to Teachers College for the long and hard process they got through, also to Faculty of Nursing, which is dedicated to serve. ?This foundation and university take education matter very seriously. I hope that you can do the same. This is about you, as the future leader of our nation,? he said while emphasizing that in UPH, all students must obey the rules and its consequences. He also emphasized about what the Rector has said earlier, that UPH is a clean campus in many aspects. ?We do this all to train the future leaders. Because we see you all as leaders,? he said.

Dr. (Hon) James T. Riady delivered a speech to the new students on convocation

?Hopefully after you see the vision from Yayasan Pendidikan Pelita Harapan (YPPH), which is to bless this country through education and people, also to transform this nation, you all want to take part and be faithful wherever God leads you,? James prayed. He also motivated the new students to think deeper, to see the world and to look at the history where they are now. ?God?s words and history are interrelated and synchronized one to another. History is the corridor of God in doing His decree and plan, from beginning to the end. God is Alpha and Omega, beginning and ending point,? he said. He also shared that all people are given freedom, and if that freedom is used rightly and we use our talents well, much of goodness will result in this nation. ?Freedom must be locked with God?s commandment, which is the truth. Freedom that is not locked with commandment equals to wildness. Remember, the truth is bigger than freedom,? he said.

In the end of the message, he expected all the students to be serious in university life, actively participate in the programmed activities. By participating in programs in UPH, the students are expected to gain true knowledge and faith in Christ, also to be able to integrate the faith into talents and true, honest, and godly character.

The event continued with student vows that were said by all new students, followed by choir performance, and closed with prayer by Mr. Budi Legowo, Vice Rector IV. (nn)