The pandemic condition did not dampen the enthusiasm of the Department of Animal Science University of Muhammadiyah Malang to maintain a relationship with the alumni. On November 21, 2020, the Department of Animal Science held a guest lecture and alumni gathering with the theme 'Maintaining Silaturrahmi and Building Alumni Networks, Academic Synergy Realizing Independent Learning of an Independent Curriculum (MBKM) in Animal Husbandry Study Program', which was conducted offline (Meeting room of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry UMM ) and online (Zoom meeting and YouTube). This event presented three alumni representatives from the government/bureaucratic sector, practitioners, and academics as speakers. They are Mr. Yude Maulana, S.Pt., MP. From the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health as a representative of alumni in the field of government, Mr. Slamet Supriyadi, S.Pt., Malang Area Head at PT. Semesta Mitra Sejahtera is a representative from the field of practitioners and Mr. Ali Mahmud, S.Pt, M.Pt., UMM Livestock Lecturer is a representative from the academic field. Apart from being followed by UMM animal husbandry students across majors, this event was also attended by Lecturers and alumni.
Mrs. Dr. Ir. Hj. Asmah Hidayah, MS. As the Head of the UMM Animal Husbandry Study Program (Kaprodi), he started this event by reporting the importance of this event to establish a relationship between Alumni, Students, and Lecturers. In his speech, he hoped that this event could strengthen the alumni network of UMM Animal Husbandry Study Program. In addition, he also explained a brief history of this Department of Animal Science. In the beginning, the Department of Animal Science was under the UMM Faculty of Animal Husbandry and from 2006 until now this Study Program has joined agriculture under the UMM Faculty of Animal Husbandry Agriculture. This merger aims to create integration between the Livestock and Agriculture sectors (Agrokomplek). To improve the quality of the Department of Animal Science curriculum which has led to an independent curriculum, in which the role of Industry is needed to improve student skills, the Head of Study Program hopes for the Alumni to provide input on the curriculum and practicum materials so that UMM livestock students can later competent and competitive in the world of work.
Mr. Yude Maulana, S.Pt., MP. was the main speaker, he started the sharing by giving a message to the participants that in this pandemic condition we must remain enthusiastic and optimistic. Various inspirational stories when he was still a student and his career journey in the world of work were also shared. These stories contain the motivation for UMM livestock students to remain confident because UMM livestock alumni have proven that they have spread in various Animal Husbandry fields and are also able to occupy strategic positions. Not only motivation, but he also provides direction on what students should do so that they will be able to compete in the world of work. As an alumnus, he also reminded me to always build friendships between generations and generations, not only in formal forums held by Study Programs and Universities, but as an alumnus, he is very open to discussion and friendship. It is hoped that the high intensity of the friendship, will be able to complement the shortcomings between alumni. At the end of the sharing session, he advised UMM Animal Husbandry students to: (1) Never disappoint their parents. (2) Make our lecturers' partners discuss and never be afraid of them. (3) Never procrastinate on work. (3) When we graduate, we have to think that the livestock world is a “dirty” world. (4) Avoid a consumptive lifestyle, and (5) If we are successful, never forget that there are 2.5% of other people's rights in our income.
The second speaker at this event was Mr. Slamet Supriyadi, S.Pt. He talked about the world of work in the Company. As animal husbandry students, he said, we must instill an honest attitude, be mentally strong, and understand the basics of animal husbandry so that later we will be able to compete in the world of work, especially in companies. He shared a lot about what livestock companies need today. He said the main priority needed by the company is the integrity and loyalty of an employee. He also explained various efforts that we can do to realize honesty and mental strength and master the basics of animal husbandry in this session. Even though he is now a practitioner in a company, he highly recommends UMM animal husbandry students become entrepreneurs as much as possible, because entrepreneurship can provide greater benefits to others. At the end of the word he also advised that our presence in a place can provide a better change compared to our absence.
As a representative of alumni from the academic field, Mr. Ali Mahmud, S.Pt., MP., started his sharing by giving motivation UMM farm students how to start from various limitations that exist on campus to be able to build self-confidence and also give birth to creativity without limit. He told how his condition when he was still studying was experiencing economic limitations, but he turned it all into motivation to study harder to achieve all his dreams. In the course of his career he has worked in a private company, then pioneered a livestock business which from this livestock business was able to lead him to become a Master of Animal Husbandry and now he is not only a livestock entrepreneur but also serves as a Lecturer at Department of Animal Science. He explained to the participants that the key to a business is to add value to a product. Before ending the sharing session, he advised the students to keep a low profile and high profit even though they have reached the peak of success later. (ASI)
