The Beginning Of The Journey Of Science, Faith, And Characters At The 2025 UPH Festival

Smart Card Disgustion By Dean To New Student Representatives As A Symbol Of Inauguration. (Photo: Ist)

JAKARTA - Pelita Harapan University (UPH) officially welcomes more than 6,500 new students from various regions in Indonesia and abroad at the 2025 UPH Festival which will take place on August 14 to August 16, 2025 at the Lippo Village campus, Tangerang. The presence of around 70 international students from China, Japan, Kenya, Nigeria, to South Korea has increased the wealth of the diversity of the UPH academic community, making this festival not just an orientation, but the beginning of the journey of science, faith, and character.

Festival opened with the Convocation Ceremony led by UPH Chancellor, Dr. (Hon.) Jonathan L. Parapak, M.Eng.Sc. In his remarks, he emphasized that education at UPH is not only a process of gaining knowledge, but also self-transformation.

"Education at UPH is not just obtaining information, but about the transformation of finding who you are, why you exist, and how you can have an impact on the world," he said, through an official statement, Saturday, August 16.

The founder of the Pelita Harapan Education Foundation (YPPH), Dr. (HC) James Riady, also gave an in-depth message. He reminded students to cultivate good habits from the start, including maintaining faith, character, and real contributions to the campus community.

Build a habit that will shape your future. Be an active person, serve, lead, pray, and continue to grow. If you trip, remember that God is able to maintain and guide your life," he said.

One of the important agendas is the Seminar Distinguished Guest Speaker (DGS) which this year carries the theme "Principled Technology: Stewarding Intelligence with Integrity".

This session discusses the role of technology, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), in the fields of technology, education, and health. Rizaldi Sistiabudi, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence UPH, emphasized that no matter how sophisticated AI is, integrity remains the key. "AI can help many things, but it is humans who keep their direction and purpose," he said.

In the education session, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Brian Yuliarto, invited students to make college a momentum for producing masterpieces. Enjoy your time at the university, pursue your dreams, and never give up. I am sure, 10 to 15 years away, we will see the great works of young Indonesians," he said.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, highlighted AI's opportunity to accelerate health services.

"AI must be seen as an embrace AI tool. Don't make it a competitor, but use it to expand service reach, for example increasing diagnosis for the sake of public health," he explained.

Similarly, Dr. Stephanie Riady, UPH President, added that since the first day of student lectures it is equipped with a perspective to develop oneself.

"I encourage all students to make the best use of this time and use all available resources to develop themselves and think critically," he said.

The festival closed with various inspiring activities, ranging from Founder's 5K Run, Parents Gathering, Alumni Homecoming, to Closing Celebration which was enlivened by the first spectacular music concerts and drone formation performances in Indonesia to welcome new students. With the theme For I Know to Whom I Have Believed (2 Teams. 1:12), UPH emphasized its commitment to forming a young generation with character, competence, and impact on the nation and the world.