For 50 years, the Widyatama Foundation has been dedicated to educating the nation. Today, Tuesday, January 3, 2023, the Widyatama Foundation is entering its “golden age.” Fifty years is not a short journey since its establishment on January 3, 1973, by Dr. Hj. Koesbandijah Abdoel Kadir, MS, Ak., which was initially named the Bandung Accounting Education and Teaching Foundation and has undergone many developments.
In this golden age, the Widyatama Foundation continues to encourage the educational units under its auspices to continue to move forward for the better. Its three educational units, namely Widyatama University, Artheraphy Center (ATC), and Widyatama Institute for Knowledge Development & Application (LPAP), currently have a total of 483 employees.
The event was held at the Widyatama University Multipurpose Building, Jln. Cikutra, No. 204 A Bandung, West Java, starting at 9:00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time. The invited guests, consisting of the Widyatama Foundation family as well as internal and external guests, were ready to welcome the Widyatama Foundation’s presentation with the theme “50 Years of the Widyatama Foundation Independently Educating the Nation.”
Dr. Diana Sari, S.E., M.Si., Ak., Q.I.A., C.A., ACPA. Vice Rector for Operations gave the first speech, saying that we should be grateful as part of the Widyatama Foundation for every twist and turn of the journey we have gone through together as well as for the achievements we have made.
“While remembering and reviving the spirit and mission of the founders, namely to educate the nation, shape pious, highly educated, noble-minded, and professional individuals,” he added.
The next speech was delivered by Prof. Dr. H. Dadang Suganda, M.Hum., Rector of Widyatama University. According to Prof. Dadang, the word “intelligent” can include “intelligent knowledge, intelligent skills, and intelligent attitudes,” which will be the capital for success in life now and in the future.
“Intelligence can be acquired on campus and outside campus. This is the essence of Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM). Therefore, the government provides space for students to study outside campus as an acceleration to enhance knowledge, skills, and attitudes.” Added Prof. Dadang.
Also present was Roeshartono, MCEM., MBA. According to the Chairman of the Widyatama Foundation, the 50th anniversary celebration of the Foundation is a special occasion and it is appropriate to express gratitude to the invited guests for attending this celebration. For every organization, a 50th anniversary celebration certainly has a profound meaning, because in its 50-year journey, it has experienced joy, and it took commitment and consistency to be able to thrive for 5 decades, as is the case with the Widyatama Foundation.
“At the age of 50, the Widyatama Foundation confidently looks ahead to continue its mission of educating the nation. We will not stop if we are committed to the development of Widyatama, which is a national asset that has contributed and continues to contribute to the development and education of the nation’s children.” She added
An emotional moment occured when Sri Juniati, S.E., MBA, Chairwoman of the Widyatama Foundation, served the first spoonful of tumpeng rice to Dr. Elisabeth Koes Soedijati, Dra., M.Si
“Alhamdulillah, the Widyatama Foundation has now reached 50 years. With all the struggles, I will give this first piece to Mrs. Lis, the eldest at Widyatama. Thank you,” said Sri Juniati, choking back tears, followed by applause from the guests.
The event continued with the launch of the Widyatama Foundation’s 50th anniversary logo, which will be used for a full year in 2023. The logo was created by Drs. Rudy Farid, C.P., M.Ds., who serves as the Head of the Graphic Design Department at Widyatama University.
After the logo launch, the next event was batik painting with students from Widyatama University and the Artherapy Center (ATC) in the Main Hall of Widyatama University. The leaders and invited guests looked very enthusiastic as they tried their hand at painting ink on pieces of batik cloth.
The excitement of Widyatama Foundation’s anniversary also received a special gift from the Indonesian World Records Museum -Indonesia (MURI), where the Widyatama Foundation first recorded its name in the record for “Most Instagram Accounts in Indonesia” with a live online webinar held via Instagram with 50 accounts by Pipin Sukandi, S.E., M.M., with the theme “Resolutions in 2023.”
The Widyatama Foundation did not forget to present the Karya Satya Widyatama award to 53 lecturers and staff members of the Foundation and the Widyatama Rectorate for their dedication and longest service at Widyatama.
The event concluded with performances by Widyatama University students (Bigband, UTama Dance Crew, Choir, and Vocal Group) in collaboration with the Widyatama Artheraphy Center, followed by a photo session with invited guests and the organizing committee.
