Studying at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) does not only bring benefits to local communities, but also to the international sphere. This is well reflected in the journey of Dr. Manuel Vong, Ph.D., a UGM alumnus from Timor-Leste who currently serves as the Chair of KAGAMA (UGM Alumni Association) Timor-Leste.
Recently, Dr. Vong had the opportunity to visit his alma mater, delivering a welcoming speech at UGM’s Postgraduate Graduation Ceremony held at Grha Sabha Pramana and meeting with UGM representatives on January 21, 2026. In an interview with OIA UGM, Dr. Vong shared his journey while pursuing his Master’s degree in Public Administration at UGM.
“When I enrolled at UGM in 2002, the academic journey was not always easy,” he said. “However, I received tremendous help and guidance from my professors. I am especially grateful to the late Rector Prof. Ichlas, Prof. Sofian Effendi, Prof. Warsito, and many others who were kind, patient, and supportive throughout my studies until I graduated.”
Dr. Vong also added that the guidance from his professors has become a special memory that he will never forget. “They guided me not only academically, but also in character building. They were truly great teachers who helped me grow both cognitively and personally,” he explained.
After completing his studies at UGM, Dr. Vong returned to Timor-Leste and became a lecturer at Dili Institute of Technology, where he continues to serve until now. He later pursued his doctoral degree in Tourism Studies in Portugal, before being appointed as the Rector of DIT and eventually serving as Timor-Leste’s Minister of Tourism.
When asked about how studying at UGM has impacted his life, Dr. Vong mentioned that the knowledge and values he gained during his time at UGM became a crucial foundation for his contributions to education and social development in Timor-Leste.
“UGM was a wonderful place that shaped my character, particularly in leadership and entrepreneurship,” Dr. Vong explained. He also reflected on how UGM’s motto–Locally Rooted, Globally Respected–helped shape his values: “Being locally rooted means staying grounded in core values like knowledge, faith, and integrity, while being globally respected means growing to our fullest potential without losing humility or forgetting our roots. These beautiful values of UGM have deeply shaped who I am today.”
In November 2025, Dr. Vong was inaugurated by the Rector of UGM and the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste as the Chair of KAGAMA Timor-Leste. Talking about the position, Dr. Vong said that he believes in collaboration and solidarity among alumni, drawing from the memories and lessons he gained back in UGM. “As reflected in KAGAMA’s motto: Guyub, Rukun, Migunani, we must support one another, maintain strong family bonds, and strive to be a blessing to others,” he said.
Currently, in addition to serving as the Chair of KAGAMA Timor-Leste, Dr. Vong also holds the position of Director of the Doctor of Business Administration Program at DIT Timor-Leste. Through his roles in both academia and alumni leadership, he hopes to continue strengthening collaboration between UGM and institutions in Timor-Leste, while inspiring future generations of students to use education as a means to serve society.
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