Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) Yogyakarta hosted the APTISI Region V DIY Gowes on Saturday, November 11, 2023. Apart from being a form of appreciation for the spirit of unity and cooperation between members of the Association of Indonesian Private Universities (APTISI) Region V Yogyakarta, this event was also part of a series of activities held to celebrate the 61st Anniversary of Duta Wacana.
Penta Eva Tri Buwana, S.Kom., M.Kom. as Head of the Committee, said that the cycling activity, which was attended by around 200 participants ranging from leaders of APTISI Region V DIY member institutions, LLDIKTI Region V and LLDIKTI Region VI officials, covered a route of about 16 km distance. Participants started from UKDW, passing Jalan Jendral Sudirman, Jalan Godean, Banyuraden gas station, Integrated Campus of Widya Mataram University Yogyakarta (as a meeting point), Jalan Wirobrajan, zero kilometer point Yogyakarta, Pura Pakualaman, Jalan Gayam, Mandala Krida, Jalan Gondosuli, Jalan Munggur, Jalan Urip Sumoharjo, and finally returned to UKDW. In addition to relaxing cycling, this event offered live music, door prizes, and time for participants to engage in casual conversation.
This event is not just a sporting activity but also an opportunity to share experiences, knowledge, and innovative ideas. In line with the spirit of Duta Wacana’s 61st Anniversary, this event also reflects a shared commitment to support sustainable development and environmental sustainability. “By choosing bicycles as a means of transportation, participants are contributing to reducing carbon emissions and increasing awareness of the importance of preserving the environment,” he said.
In her speech, the Rector of UKDW, Dr.-Ing. Wiyatiningsih said this event was also part of Duta Wacana’s 61st Anniversary celebration, as UKDW had the opportunity to host the event. Wiyatiningsih expressed her thanks to everyone who had supported the success of the event.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Edy Suandi Hamid, M.Ec., head of the Gowes Association, expressed his appreciation to all parties who have supported the APTISI Gowes event. He said this activity aimed to build togetherness and friendship and stay in touch among Jogjaversitas. Edy expressed his hope that this activity could continue and be even more lively in the following years.
Prof. Fathul Wahid, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., the Chair of Aptisi V, also appreciated UKDW’s contribution to hosting the Gowes activities. “This is our effort -LLDIKTI and APTISI- to create an event that is very Jogjawi,” he added. He expressed his hope that UKDW would become a world-class university and that activities like this could bring all administrators and officials of private universities in DIY closer. (mpk/Eng.drr)