On 17 September 2019, Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) entered their 25th year in the educational service sector. The ceremony for the 25th Dies Natalis took up the theme of “Grace Upon Grace” (John 1:16) with realizing that UPH is here only because of God’s grace.

A 25-years reflection was delivered by Dr. (HC) James T. Riady, Founder of Yayasan Pendidikan Pelita Harapan (YPPH) and UPH, on the Thanksgiving Service 25th Dies Natalis UPH ceremony. The ceremony was held at UPH Lippo Village, Karawaci. In his message, he stated how UPH graduates transformed Indonesia from Sabang to Merauke.

UPH’s 25-year journey has impacted the country and nation through its 30,000 and more graduates, who have committed to helping in different sectors. James T. Riady is grateful that every academic, who are experts in their areas, have dedicated themselves to their roles in the educational world. He is also grateful for students and alumni who have entrusted UPH as their pivots of transformation, enabling them to become agents of change for the country and nation.

UPH instructors have spread to schools under the YPPH foundation all across Indonesia and have contributed much to change the way of thinking of the locals, especially in regions outside government reach.

Riady said, “UPH graduates transform lives by bringing UPH principles to the classroom, educating the next generation and teaching them the right values and incorporating Christian foundation with scientific knowledge.”

When we see its starting point, UPH started as the first university at Karawaci on 17 September 1994, with 250 students enrolled. At that time, there were only three faculties and eight study programs (prodi): Economics Faculty (FE), with Accounting and Management prodi, Industrial Engineering Faculty (FTI) with Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Informatics prodi, and Civil Engineering and City Planning (FTSP) with Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Design prodi.

Now, UPH has developed to become a reliable campus in the national and international stage. UPH is entrusted with 20,000 students spread to four campuses, which are at Karawaci, Jakarta, Surabaya, and Medan. UPH now also has thirteen faculties and 68 prodi with its respective degrees.

UPH’s vision to contribute as much as possible for the nation is integrated into its study programs. UPH is a comprehensive private university, offering seven study program clusters that answer challenges and needs of this generation, especially in business integration, hospitality and tourism, social and education, built environment, solution technology, health sciences, and creative industries.

Alongside the development of information technologies, UPH continues to innovate in the educational world. There is a program called Far-Distance Education (PJJ) of UPH Communications that has introduced the borderless classroom system, which meant that UPH can reach more students from all across Indonesia. In the future, PJJ will start for other study programs.

In 2019, UPH made official the Business Incubator program, which served as a means to birth entrepreneurs on campus, enabling them to absorb work energy and to be a positive impact to the people. UPH had also made official the Co-Op Education program, which is a program that facilitated students entering the workplace and to give them real experience, equipping them with soft skills as future graduates in the professional world.

UPH will continue to spread its wings through collaborations with foreign universities so that UPH will always be updated with developments. UPH will also continue its collaborations with partners in national or foreign industries, opening doors for students after graduation.

In the Thanksgiving Service closing ceremony, the UPH Founder continued to deliver his wish to see UPH unite and to answer God’s calling to be a blessing for the country and nation together.