BANTUL – Despite the difficulty he had to face as a child of a less fortunate farmer, his determination and excellent academic skills have brought Riyo Pungki Irawan, 18, to Faculty of Medicine of Universitas Gadjah Mada. The only child of Sukamto and Sugiyem has been accepted at UGM through the National Selection mechanism (SNMPTN) and is entitled to receive the bidikmisi scholarship from the government that frees him from any tuitions.
Met at his home in Bantul regency in the Pencitrejo hamlet, Riyo expressed his pride and joy after he was admitted in the study programme he longed for. Never did he expect to get admitted in the most favourite programme across Indonesia.“I never imagined I could get accepted here at Faculty of Medicine. The competition is tight, the other fellow students must be very smart,” he said.
Since his childhood, Riyo wanted to become a doctor since there were only two general practitioners in his village serving all members of the community. He wanted to serve in his own village after graduation.
Living in economic difficulties are Riyo’s daily condition. He knew too well of his parents’ economic hardship that produce uncertain incomes. When at high school in SMAN 8 Yogyakarta, Riyo rented a room to stay with the Rp100 thousand in his pocket per month for daily needs.
Despite the condition, Riyo kept studying hard. He even made good achievements for three consecutive years being on the top rank. His financial limitation is not a barrier for him.
Riyo also made other achievements, such as becoming first winner in the National Debating Competition in Bogor in 2012 and second winner in Civic Education contest in Yogyakarta in 2012.
Sugiyem, his mother, could not hide her pride following her son’s success at being accepted at Faculty of Medicine. She conveyed a short message to her son,”I hope he can make his dream come true and become a successful son,” she said.