The Graduate School of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (SPs UNY) organized Academic Gathering #3 for first-semester students of the Distance Learning Program (PJJ) from 23–25 April 2026. The program brought together newly enrolled PJJ students as part of SPs UNY’s efforts to foster a sense of academic community while introducing students to the university’s academic environment.

The series of activities commenced with registration and an opening session held at SPs UNY. The event was officially opened by Prof. Nur Hidayanto Pancoro Setyo Putro, M.Pd., Ph.D., Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, who emphasized the importance of maintaining students’ motivation and commitment toward completing their studies on time. He also highlighted the value of building strong connections among students as a form of academic and social support throughout their learning journey.

Participants subsequently attended academic briefing sessions covering the learning system, academic policies, and various essential aspects supporting the study process at SPs UNY. Study orientation sessions with program coordinators also played an important role in providing students with an initial understanding of their respective study programs.

The atmosphere throughout the event was highly interactive and enthusiastic, reflecting the students’ active engagement in every session. The gathering also served as an opportunity to strengthen connections—not only among students, but also between students and program administrators—creating a closer academic environment to support future learning experiences.

As part of the program, participants also visited the Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta campus in the Gunungkidul area. The visit included a campus tour and educational tourism activities at Drini Beach and PICTNIQ. Through these activities, students gained more contextual learning experiences while strengthening their sense of togetherness in a more relaxed setting.

On the final day, the program featured an evaluation session for the PJJ program as a reflective forum to gather feedback from students regarding the implementation of distance learning. The event was then formally concluded, marking the end of the entire Academic Gathering series.

Through this initiative, SPs UNY continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative academic environment, particularly for PJJ students. The program is expected to serve as a meaningful foundation for students’ learning experiences while strengthening peer networks that support their academic success