Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) officially commenced the series of events marking its 61st Anniversary (Dies Natalis) on Thursday (12/02/2026). The opening ceremony was held festively at Prof. Dirham Field and the UNNES Rectorate Field under the theme “UNNES Moves, UNNES Makes an Impact.”
The celebration began with a parade of lecturers and administrative staff, showcasing unity and the distinct identity of each work unit. The event continued with a student carnival involving all faculties, the Graduate School, and various units within UNNES. Through creative costumes, attributes, and performance concepts, participants highlighted various points of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting the academic community’s collective commitment to global sustainability issues.
In his remarks, the Rector of UNNES, Prof. Dr. S. Martono, M.Si., emphasized that the anniversary celebration serves not only as a festivity but also as a moment of reflection and a reaffirmation of institutional commitment.
“The Dies Natalis is an important reminder for all of us to continuously uphold the spirit of achievement and to deliver meaningful contributions. UNNES must be present and impactful for society,” he stated.
As part of the opening festivities, a mass fun walk was organized, taking participants from Prof. Dirham Field to the UNNES Rectorate Field. Thousands of participants joined the activity enthusiastically, further enlivening the celebratory atmosphere.
The event was further energized by live musical performances and the distribution of numerous attractive door prizes, including motorcycles, electric bicycles, laptops, LED televisions, refrigerators, smartwatches, and hundreds of other prizes. The celebration was also enlivened by Hendra Kumbara, a singer-songwriter and musician who is an alumnus of the Faculty of Languages and Arts (FBS) UNNES.
Through this opening ceremony, UNNES officially marked the beginning of its 61st Anniversary series, which will feature various academic, artistic, sports, and community service activities as part of the university’s ongoing commitment to contributing to sustainable development.
