Tangerang, August 24, 2023 – Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) welcomed over 4,000 new students for the Academic Year 2023/2024 at the UPH Festival 2023 which was held from August 24 to August 26, 2023. This event marked a special moment as it brought together students from various cities across Indonesia, spanning from Sabang to Merauke, and from overseas including South Korea, the United States, Syria, Timor-Leste, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Kenya, Uganda, the Philippines, and China. Among these new students, 1,076 were scholarship recipients from Indonesia, and 34 were international students. 

This year’s UPH Festival featured a range of activities aimed at inspiring the new students, including a Distinguished Guest Speaker seminar featuring the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Dr. Sandiaga S. Uno and the Minister of Health Ir. Budi Gunadi Sadikin. The three-day event concluded with an exciting firework display and a music concert organized by UPH students on the final day. The new students were formally inducted into UPH during a symbolic ceremony led by UPH Rector Dr. (Hon.) Jonathan L. Parapak. This convocation ceremony took place simultaneously at UPH campuses in Lippo Village, Jakarta, Surabaya, and Medan. During this event, the Rector encouraged the new students to embrace their educational journey at UPH, which will prepare them to become transformative leaders. 

“Welcome to UPH! We are excited to welcome the new students for AY 2023/2024. At UPH, you will undergo transformation through a holistic and transformative education process. We hope that all the training, mentoring, and celebrations in UPH Festival 2023 will mark the beginning of your journey toward becoming exceptional transformational leaders,” said UPH Rector in his welcoming remark. 

Yayasan Pendidikan Pelita Harapan (YPPH) Executive Director Dr. Stephanie Riady, B.A., M.Ed., also extended a warm welcome to the new students and shared inspirational messages. 

“We welcome the new UPH students with enthusiasm! At UPH, we will help you discover your purpose and calling in life. We will guide you to become not just ordinary students but leaders who make an impact. I want to share three pieces of advice with the new students: First, focus on personal development by broadening your knowledge of the world; Second, seize every opportunity to gain experiences and knowledge; Third, develop your character so that you can innovate and make a positive impact on the world. Enjoy your college years on the journey to becoming transformative leaders in your respective fields,” she emphasized. 

UPH Festival 2023: Godly Transformational Leadership 

This year’s UPH Festival theme is “Godly Transformational Leadership.” This theme aims to motivate new students to prepare for leadership through the holistic and transformative education they will receive at UPH. It also reflects UPH’s commitment to providing a platform for students to fulfil their calling and become transformative agents from the beginning of their college journey. 

The Vibrant UPH Festival 2023 

The UPH Festival 2023 program serves as an orientation for new students and offers various engaging, interactive, and beneficial events. The UPH Festival 2023 program began with Convocation on the first day, where new students were officially inducted by the Rector and UPH’s founder. The event was followed by the Campus Life Introduction, introducing various campus services and academic support units. The program continued with Faculty Talks, featuring professionals from various industries, divided into four groups: Social, Art, Engineering, and Medicine. The goal was to inspire new students to plan their future and understand the impact they can have on society and their surroundings. 

In addition to adapting to campus life, new UPH students also received inspirational messages and motivation from prominent figures through the Distinguished Guest Speaker (DGS) seminar. The DGS seminar featured the Minister of Health of Indonesia, Ir. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, CHFC., CLU., and the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, Dr. H. Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, B.B.A., M.B.A., who shared inspirational messages, global insights, and life experiences. Through this seminar, UPH aimed to encourage new students to enhance their capacities through valuable insights from these two speakers. 

On the third day, the program included the 5K Founder Run, Campus Life Exhibition, allowing new students to explore campus life beyond academics, Parents Gathering, and Inspirational Sharing by some of UPH’s outstanding alumni. UPH Festival 2023 concluded with a spectacular Closing Celebration featuring musical performances by UPH students and lively fireworks display to mark the end of the UPH Festival. 

About UPH 

Established in 1994, UPH consistently makes a positive impact on the nation and the country through excellent, holistic, and transformative higher education. UPH is committed to producing competent and professional leaders equipped with true knowledge, faith in Christ, and godly character. UPH continues to expand its horizons through collaborations with universities from various countries to stay up to date with advancements in the field of education. Similarly, UPH has partnerships with the industrial sector, both domestically and internationally, providing graduates with opportunities to enter the workforce. With campuses located in Tangerang, Jakarta, Medan, and Surabaya, UPH offers 64 study programs with relevant curricula and highly competent faculty members. To date, UPH has produced over 50,000 graduates serving in various fields and acting as agents of change for the nation and the country.