Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) conducted a commencement of period II academic year 2018/2019 on 2 February 2019. 1085 students from three-year, undergraduate, and graduate programs graduated.

However, two of graduates, Fatkhul Adli and Bambang Arintoko, could not attend the graduation day at Sportorium of UMY since they performed umroh in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. They, then, had the graduation ceremony there.

They had officially graduated since a judicium on 22 December 2018. Adli was a student of Department of International Relations of batch 2015 and had the umroh with his family. Meanwhile, Bambang was a master’s student of Program of Islamic Studies as well as a staff at UMY achieving free umroh provided by UMY for 40 staffs and lecturers each year and aiming to appreciate their loyalty and to instill Islamic characters in them.

Adil and Bambang wore a toga in front of Ka’bah, Mecca. The commencement outside UMY was allowed. Indeed, Vice Rector for Cooperation and International Affairs Prof. Dr. Achmad Nurmandi, M.Sc. also did the umroh. Prof. Nurmandi led the commencement by moving the toga rope but he did not hand over a degree certificate.

“No matter where the commencement is, they were officially graduated when having the judicium. When they have met all requirements, they graduate. Since the students our vice rector for cooperation and international affairs are performing umroh, we utilize the moment to organize the commencement,” declared Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Dr. Sukamta, S.T., M.T. in an interview Monday (4/2).