Rector Delegates UPH Graduates to be the Light and Salt in the Community

UPH Rector, Dr. (Hon) Jonathan L. Parapak, dismissed759 UPH graduates on graduation XXVI, which took place onSaturday, November 22, 2014 at the Grand Chapel UPH campus. Special guests also attended the graduation ceremony,including Prof. Dr.KH. Muhammad Sirajuddin Syamsuddin, or Din Syamsuddin, Chairman of the Majelis Ulama Indonesia(MUI), President of Biola University, USA, Dr. Barry H. Corey, Executive Secretary Kopertis Region III, Putu Pujogiri SH, Prof. Hasjim Djalal, former Indonesian Ambassador for Canada and Germany, Dino Patti Djalal, former Ambassador for the United States, and some foreign university partners including Janine Allen, Dean of Global Initiatives, Corban University USA and Dr. Benjamin Das Combe, Senior Lecturer of School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle in Australia.

In his message to the graduates, Rector reminded that what they have experienced and acquired during their studies at UPH should be devoted for the society. The UPH graduates were delegatedto be agents of transformation, bringing peace, bringing light and hope, in the midst of thechallenging Indonesian society, the moral crisis, the environmental crisis, riots and the era of rapid technological advances.

“We are delegated to illuminate the dark world, salting themorally ailing society. Let us pray that we will be led by God to be witnesses that are pleasing to Him, bringing truth and justice and compassion in our communities. Hoping that what has been achieved can be presented to the nation and for the glory ofGod,” Rector stated.     On the occasion, the Rector also gladly welcomed the graduation of six students from the dual degree program of UPH Food TechnologyDepartment and University of Newcastle, Australia, as well as the dual degree program of UPH Teacher Education and Corban University in the US, which has resulted in hundreds of teachers who are now scattered in various areas in the homeland.

Dr. (Hon) Jonathan L. Parapak, Rector of UPH, delivering message to the graduates