UNAIR NEWS – Graduation day is a form of inauguration for someone who have completed their studies in higher education institutions. But due to Covid-19 pandemic, the graduates could not do it in person like the previous graduation.
As a form of appreciation to 2020 graduates, Narasi TV held a special event for the graduates on June 14, 2020. Narasi TV invited 100 graduates from various parts of the country to celebrate graduation days online together through Zoom platform and Najwa Shihab Youtube channel.
One of the graduates who had the opportunity to be a speaker at 2020 Graduation was Gabriella Handoyo. The graduate known as Gaby was from Accounting program at Faculty of Economics and Business Universitas Airlangga (FEB UNAIR).
“I was surprised and happy because I could get the opportunity to join a national event that brought me together with graduates from all regions in Indonesia,” she said.
At this special event, Gaby had a discussion with Najwa Shihab about the meaning of graduation. According to her, graduation for Gaby has two meanings. The first is the peak of campus appreciation for the hard work during her studies. The second is as a challenge because graduates will soon enter the job markets.
“We (graduates, ed) will be required to change our way of thinking, how to act and how to behave. What used to be only students, now we are required to be a professionals, “she explained.
When interviewed online, Gaby told her little disappointment when she could not attend the offline graduation. According to her, graduation is the most awaited moment since she first entered college.
“I feel happy and touched because it turns out that many people are also concerned about the disappointment of the graduates and are moved to enliven this virtual graduation,” she added.
Gaby couldn’t deny the disappointment of the 2020 graduates. The graduation which was their coveted moment was finally held online. But she realized that the essence of virtual graduation is in fact the same as offline graduation, the difference is on the media used.
“Remember, we are little heroes because we participated in preventing the spread of Covid-19 in Indonesia,” she concluded. (*)
Author: Sandi Prabowo
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
