EduAsiaNews, Jakarta – The festive atmosphere of the 77th Graduation Ceremony of Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ) was not limited to the academic proceedings. The Veteran Jakarta Student Dance Club (STVJ), a Student Activity Unit (UKM), added a cultural touch to the ceremony through a Nusantara Dance performance at the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC), Senayan, Jakarta, on Saturday (September 12, 2026). The performance provided a cultural interlude amid the graduation ceremony, which marked the completion of the academic journey of 1,943 UPNVJ graduates from Diploma, Undergraduate, Professional, and Master’s programs.
The dance movements, accompanied by music inspired by the diverse cultural traditions of the Indonesian archipelago, created a distinctive atmosphere throughout the graduation proceedings. STVJ’s performance also demonstrated how academic occasions can serve as a platform for introducing Indonesia’s rich artistic and cultural heritage to graduates, their families, and invited guests.
The involvement of the Veteran Jakarta Student Dance Club in UPNVJ’s 77th Graduation Ceremony also highlights the role of students beyond academic activities. Through Student Activity Units (UKM), students have opportunities to develop their creativity, teamwork skills, discipline, and commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
STVJ is one of UPNVJ’s Student Activity Units dedicated to the arts. The group’s presence is demonstrated not only through performances at various university events, but also through its participation in dance activities and competitions.
In 2024, for example, Veteran Jakarta Student Dance Club performed the Ngahuma Dance, which portrays the agrarian life of the Baduy community, at the Crowd 8.0 National Competition at Universitas Negeri Jakarta. The performance earned STVJ an Honorable Mention award and represented one of the contributions made by UPNVJ students to introducing traditional culture through the performing arts.
STVJ’s achievements were also recognized in the 2025 UPNVJ Student Affairs Kaleidoscope. The Student Activity Unit received the Gold Winner award in the Most Popular Student Activity Unit category, while several of its members received awards in the Student Affairs category. These achievements demonstrate the continuity of student engagement in the arts while also highlighting the development of non-academic accomplishments.
At the 77th Graduation Ceremony, the Nusantara Dance performance added a distinctive cultural dimension to the series of academic proceedings. The artistic performance served as a reminder that students’ university journeys are shaped not only in classrooms, but also through organizational experiences, creative activities, competitions, and engagement with cultural diversity.
UPNVJ’s 77th Graduation Ceremony was held in two sessions and attended by 1,943 graduates from seven faculties. A total of 1,027 graduates attended the first session, while 916 graduates attended the second session.
UPNVJ carried the spirit of “Producing Competent Graduates with National Defense Character and a Positive Impact on the Nation” as the theme of this year’s graduation ceremony. In this spirit, opportunities for students to express themselves through cultural activities form part of the university’s efforts to develop graduates who possess not only academic competencies but also character, creativity, social awareness, and appreciation for the nation’s identity and cultural diversity.
For UPNVJ Rector Prof. Dr. Anter Venus, M.A., Comm., character development is an essential part of the educational process at UPNVJ. The 77th Graduation Ceremony further reaffirmed the university’s commitment to sending graduates into society who are able to apply their academic expertise while remaining grounded in the values of National Defense and making a positive impact on the nation.(www.upnvj.ac.id)
