Marking the first week of the Even Semester of the 2025/2026 Academic Year, undergraduate students of Mathematics, Statistics, and Actuarial Science from the Class of 2025 participated in theRESET & RISE: Turning Semester 1 Lessons into a Strong First Year and After, held at the 7th Floor Auditorium of the S1 Building, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, on Saturday (14/2).
The program was designed as a space for academic reflection, enabling first-year students to review their learning experiences during their initial semester, including study habits, achievements, and the various challenges they encountered. At the same time, it aimed to strengthen their academic foundations and formulate more structured learning strategies for their future academic journey.
During the department briefing session, the Head of the Department of Mathematics, Dr. Nanang Susyanto, S.Si., M.Sc., M.Act.Sc., delivered a comprehensive overview of the department’s academic environment. His presentation covered the organizational structure, study program profiles, laboratories, faculty areas of expertise, student activity opportunities, partner university networks, and supporting learning facilities. He emphasized that the first semester is not merely a period of adaptation, but a formative stage in developing analytical thinking and intellectual discipline as the foundation for academic success.
The main session featured Dr. Febriandi Rahmatulloh, an alumnus of Statistics UGM from the Class of 2002, who currently serves as Director of Astra Digital International. In his presentation entitled “Implementing Advanced Tech in Industry Requires Strong Basics – Why Your First Semester Matters More Than You Think,” he highlighted the importance of mastering fundamental mathematical and statistical concepts in the implementation of data-driven technologies and artificial intelligence.
Through several global industry case studies, he demonstrated that technological advancement does not automatically make systems less prone to errors. As systems become increasingly complex and operate at a larger scale, even minor errors in statistical assumptions or problem formulation can have significant consequences. Therefore, mastering fundamental concepts from the outset is essential in navigating rapidly evolving technological developments.
The event, which also included discussion and question-and-answer sessions, is expected to help the Class of 2025 transform their first-semester experiences into a stronger foundation for their continued academic journey. Through RESET & RISE 2026, the reinforcement of fundamental knowledge was once again emphasized as a long-term investment in building professional competence and integrity for the future.
Keywords: Reset & Rise, Academic Reflection, Even Semester Lectures
Author: Iin Nauli Rahmawati
Photo: Riki Adityawan