Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) welcomed two Student Activity Units (UKM) gaining national achievements. They were Drum Corps and Teater Tangga of UMY. The Drum Corps became the first runner up of Grand Prix Marching Band (GPMB) while Teater Tangga performed ‘Machbeth’ at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta.

Rector of UMY Prof. Bambang Cipto appreciated the students’ endeavor. He stated that the students could bring the slogan of UMY ‘Unggul dan Islami, Muda Mendunia’ into reality. “It was excellent achievements, and I wish that they could be better and better, and could compete in international level,” Bambang expected.

Besides, Vice Chancellor III of UMY Sri Atmaja P. Rosyidi, S.T., M.Sc.Eng., Ph.D., P.E. express his pride of the students’ achievements. He conveyed that the achievements could be obtained from consistency and continuity. “Achieving the success need endeavor, feeling of never giving up, and perseverance,” Sri Atmaja argued.

He reminded them that the matter of gaining achievements was the credit values. He was also proud that the identity of UMY, ‘Unggul dan Islami’, was embedded in the performances of both UKMs. “The performances showed Islamic missionary and brought Islamic values of this university,” he maintained.

He also advised that the achievements were not the main aim. “We would move forward and tell everybody that we would keep reaching achievements. The students are dared to join international competition next year,” he inserted.

Drum Corps of UMY prepared for the GPMB for a year whereas Teater Tangga prepared the performance since April 2015. Drum Corps of UMY became the first runner up of the main division as well as the winner of the higher education category, while the awards achieved were the winner of the best field commander, the runner up of general effect, and the winner of color guard. Additionally, Teater Tangga performed ‘Machbeth’ adapted from a novel by William Shakespeare at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta.