That morning, the first round of applause was not for a new achievement, but for years of dedicated service. Two staff members of the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Library and Archives received the Satyalancana Karya Satya award before participants were invited to reflect on a simple experiment exploring the power of words. The series of activities took place during the First Friday Monthly Gathering held at the BNI Co-Working Space (CWS), UGM Library and Archives, on Friday (August 7).
The gathering was opened by the Head of the UGM Library and Archives, Arif Surachman, S.IP., MBA. In his remarks, Arif encouraged all staff members to maintain their enthusiasm for learning, strengthen collaboration, and foster a supportive workplace culture.
“Regular gatherings like this are important for maintaining communication among us. Through this simple forum, we can learn from one another, appreciate each other’s contributions, and work together to improve the quality of services we provide to the academic community,” said Arif.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the Satyalancana Karya Satya awards. Dwi Ningsih received the 30-Year Satyalancana Karya Satya Award, while Kurniatun was presented with the 20-Year Satyalancana Karya Satya Award. Bestowed by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, the Satyalancana Karya Satya is a national honorary award presented to civil servants in recognition of their loyalty, dedication, integrity, discipline, and continuous service over 10, 20, or 30 years. The award serves as formal recognition of their longstanding commitment to public service.
Following the award ceremony, participants attended a knowledge-sharing session organized by the Archives Division. Inspired by a widely discussed concept, the team conducted a simple experiment based on Dr. Masaru Emoto’s book The Hidden Messages in Water. The initiative was proposed by Erna Widayati, S.E., M.M., Head of the Archives Division at the UGM Library and Archives, and carried out by Zuli Erma Santi, Fitria Agustina, Kurniatun, Anna Riasmiati, and Heri Santosa.
The experiment used two containers filled with water and rice. One container was consistently exposed to positive words, while the other received negative words. After a period of observation, the two samples exhibited different conditions.
Heri Santosa explained that the differences were not immediately apparent to the naked eye.
“Visually, the differences were not very obvious. However, when observed under a microscope, the water crystals in the sample exposed to positive words or prayers appeared more organized than those in the sample exposed to negative words,” he explained.
He added that the experiment was shared to encourage reflection on the importance of positive communication in the workplace. Regardless of the differing scientific perspectives surrounding Masaru Emoto’s theory, the intended message was to encourage people to choose constructive words and foster a respectful working environment.
The gathering continued with the presentation of the 2026 Self-Development Program evaluation by Stevanus Deni Nur Prasetyo, the program coordinator. The evaluation will serve as the foundation for designing the 2027 self-development program, ensuring that future activities better address the needs of both employees and the organization.
The event concluded with a prayer led by Heri Santosa. Although brief, the First Friday Monthly Gathering provided an opportunity for staff members to pause from their daily routines, recognize their colleagues’ dedication, exchange experiences, and prepare for the challenges and programs ahead.
The values fostered through this gathering align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, by promoting a positive work environment that supports employees’ mental well-being; SDG 4: Quality Education, by encouraging lifelong learning and continuous professional development; and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by strengthening professionalism, recognizing long-term service, and cultivating a collaborative workplace culture within the UGM Library and Archives.
Contributor: Wasilatul Baroroh