Engaging in outdoor activities is recognized as an effective means of fostering and enhancing self-confidence among participants. Moreover, such activities are acknowledged as therapeutic interventions conducted in the natural wilderness, involving the participation in challenging games that demand a resilient spirit and heightened self-assurance.
On Friday, December 1, 2023, the Directorate of Research UGM organized an outdoor training event at GOR Pancasila UGM. The outdoor training event, led by experienced human resource development practitioner Dr. Sumaryono, M.Si., and his team from the Faculty of Psychology UGM, took place amid a light drizzle. The opening remarks were delivered by the Director of Research at UGM, who expressed, "This activity is part of the routine human resource development initiatives conducted by the Directorate of Research at UGM. This particular event marks the first of its kind held within the UGM campus." Furthermore, Prof. Mirwan provided closing remarks, stating, "Building a cohesive team within an organization is no easy feat as each individual in the group brings unique perspectives and backgrounds. However, a solid team is essential to achieving common goals."
The outdoor training session commenced with a collective prayer and was followed by a penguin exercise routine. The penguin exercise was chosen for its unique movements, characterized by the distinctive posture of penguins, encompassing hand positions, footwork, and a combination of slow to fast-paced rotational movements. After completing the warm-up exercises, participants were divided into four groups and instructed to engage in various team-building activities. One particularly captivating activity involved creating the longest line, where each group was challenged to utilize various props to form an extended formation. The objective of this game was to cultivate and enhance a sense of loyalty within the groups or institution. Amidst the outdoor training activities, staff members from the Directorate of Research provided perspectives and expressed their views, viewing the games as sources of entertainment, enjoyment, and spontaneous humor. The incorporation of humor is recognized as essential for relieving psychological or physical burdens after a full day of work or study.
As a conclusion to this event, the organizing committee distributed door prizes to all participants. Following the outdoor training session, it is anticipated that all staff members at the Directorate of Research UGM will possess heightened resilience, enabling them to rise and endure challenging circumstances. Additionally, they are expected to demonstrate the capability for acceleration in achieving set objectives.
