Islamic University of Indonesia

Pilgrimage, A Moment to Emulate UII’s Founding Fathers’s spirit

Wednesday, 20 June 2012

As the series agenda of 69th UII Dies Natalis, on Tuesday (20/6), Led by UII Rector Prof. Edy Suandi M.Ec Hamid, several UII leaders, lecturers, and staff made a pilgrimage to several cementaries where the founding fathers of UII were buried. In his remark, Prof.Dr. Edy Suandi Hamid, M.Ec said that the pilgrimage is a moment to remember the contribution of founding fathers of UII who have passed away. “Through this activity, it is hoped that we can emulate our founding fathers’s spirit.” Rector emphasized.

The group firstly visited the tomb of Prof. Dr. H. Ace Partadiredja, Prof. Dr. H. Zanzawi Soejoeti, M. Sc, and Ir R.H.A Sahirul Alim, M.Sc. at UGM Sawit Sari cemetery. In this cementary, the group former leader of UII w Here, there are the tomb of three former high-ranking UII, namely Prof Dr H Ace Partadiredja, Prof Dr H Zanzawi Soejoeti, M. Sc, and Ir R.H.A Sahirul Alim, M.Sc.

Prof. Edy stated that those three figures have played important roles in developing UII. Prof. Dr. Ace Partadiredja was appointed as the rector in the period of 1983-1985. In December 1986, however, Prof. Dr. Ace Partadiredja was officially re-appointed as the next rector in the period of 1987 - 1989. Prof. Dr. Ace Partadiredja made a balance in the development of academic affairs and physical facilities. His efforts was followed by sending permanent lecturers to pursue their study (S2 and S3) both in Indonesia and abroad. To sum up, Prof. Dr. Ace Partadiredja put very big portion in permanent lecturers pursuing their study.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr H Zanzawi Soejoeti M. Sc was regarded as the sucessor of Prof Dr H Ace Partadiredja and assigned to be Rector UII in the period of 1990 – 1994. Prof. Dr. H. Zanzawi Soejoeti, M.Sc. emphasized the academic development without leaving the administrative organization. It was proven with the continuation of giving scholarships to permanent lecturers to pursue their study, curriculum stabilization, concerns on the student-lecturer ratio. During his period, UII began to build UII integrated campus situated at Jl. Kaliurang km.14,5 Yogyakarta.

Meanwhile, Ir RHA Sahirul M.Sc Alim had held various important positions in UII, including Vice Rector II period 1973-1978 and Vice Chancellor IV (Religious field) in the period 1983-1985. He was also Badan Wakaf Foundation chairman in the period 2000-2001.

In addition, Prof. Edy, stated that this pilgrimage is not just a routine agenda, but also should be a momentum to deliver sincere gratitude to Allah SWT and a reflection on the human life journey.

Afterward, the group visited tomb of Prof. Dr. dr. Sardjito., at Kusumanegara Hero’s cemetery Yogyakarta. Prof. Sardjito was UII Rector in the period 1963-1970. Under his leadership, Faculty of Economics and Faculty of Law acquired their ‘disamakan’ status. As a sign of respect for his services and achievements, he deserves his name on the one of buildings at UII main campus.

The group also went to the cemetery of Bahoewinangoen family. The 2nd UII Rector, Prof Mr RHA. Kasmat Bahuwinangun was buried in this place. Prof. Kasmat was in the position for a short period of three years. Despite the short period, he managed to make improvements with the establishment of Faculty of Syari'ah and Tarbiyah.

The next cemetery visited by the group was Boharen Islamic cemetery, Purbayan Village, Kotagede. The first UII Rector, Prof. KH. A. Kahar Muzakkir was burried in this place. When opened with the name of STI (Sekolah Tinggi Islam) on 8 July 1945, the chosen Magnificus rector was Prof. KH. Abdul Kahar Muzakkir.

The pilgrimage was ended with a visit to the tomb of GBPH. H. Prabuningrat at Imogiri cemetery.GBPH H Prabuningrat, as member of UII presidium, led the university for less than three years and was successful in developing UII. UII campus building in Cik Di Tiro Street No. 1 was his achievement. GBPH H. Prabuningrat was chosen as the definite rector in 1973. He was the rector of UII for three consecutive periods, 1973 - 1978, 1978 - 1981, and 1982 - 1986. He, however, did not finish his third period since he passed away at the end of 1982.