Jokowi Reunites with his Mentor Professor Kasmujo in Memory of Today, December 19, 2017

President Jokowi was present at the 68th UGM Anniversary Summit on December 19, 2017. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Today's memory, eight years ago, December 19, 2017, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) attended the 68th Anniversary of Gadjah Mada University (UGM). Jokowi also reunited with his mentor, Kasmujo.

Previously, Jokowi was known as a student of the Faculty of Forestry, UGM. This condition made UGM proud when Jokowi became President of Indonesia. Jokowi was the same. He often boasted his college days at UGM as a student who loves nature.

College days are full of happy memories. Jokowi also often remembers his college days at UGM. Jokowi attended the Faculty of Forestry UGM as a student in the 1980s. He is grateful to be able to study in the midst of his parents' economic condition which was not good.

Jokowi also took advantage of his college days with various activities. Climbing mountains, for example. Jokowi's mountain climbing hobby was realized by joining Mapala Silvagama UGM. Jokowi's active mountain climbing was witnessed among mapala members.

Jokowi considers mountain climbing activities as a form of learning. A learning to be close to nature. This condition is because Jokowi considers that science is not only present in the classroom. Science is sometimes also present outside the classroom.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) talks to Kasmujo, who was an academic mentor lecturer when he was a student at UGM Yogyakarta, May 13, 2025. (Presidential Press Office)

As a result, Jokowi's experience was not easily forgotten. Even though there were negative news, he never completed his education at UGM. However, UGM is proud of Jokowi who is the first alumnus of UGM who became the leader of Indonesia.

The alumni of his department were not just proud when Jokowi was elected President of Indonesia. At first, the alumni and professors of the Faculty of Forestry were divided. Some supported Jokowi. There were also those who supported Prabowo. However, Jokowi's victory seemed to make them unite.

"Both (Jokowi and Prabowo supporters) are militants. Maybe for the first time in my life, there is a graduate of the Faculty of Forestry, UGM who became president elegantly. The professor who educated him became the elected president," said alumnus of the Faculty of Forestry, UGM, Paripurno as quoted by lamandetik.com, July 25, 2014.

Jokowi himself continues to be proud to be a UGM graduate. Every opportunity Jokowi always visits UGM. The momentum of the 68th UGM Anniversary was also attended by Jokowi on December 19, 2017.

Jokowi took advantage of his time at UGM by meeting with his mentor, Kasmujo. Jokowi also remembered how Kasmujo was hard to guide his script in wood technology.

He considers Kasmujo as a person who has contributed to his life. Even though Jokowi considers Kasmujo to be very fierce when it comes to thesis guidance. However, the story then made the participants present late in laughter and nostalgia.

"I convey my highest appreciation to my mentor, Mr. Kasmujo. He, when guiding me, I remember, was very fierce. I still remember, but now it's wise, it's changed. I don't know who changed me or Mr. Kasmujo," said Jokowi as quoted by the ANTARA website, December 19, 2017.