Arif Muazam (39) from the Master’s Program in Biology, UGM Faculty of Biology, is recorded as the fastest graduate of the master’s program during the Postgraduate Program Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday (Apr. 24) at Grha Sabha Pramana.
Muazam completed his master’s degree in just one year and 0 months. In this graduation ceremony, 1,387 students from master’s, medical specialty, and doctoral programs officially completed their studies at UGM.
Speaking to reporters on Friday (Apr. 26), Muazam shared his experiences studying at the Faculty of Biology and tips for achieving a degree quickly.
Previously an undergraduate from the Faculty of Agriculture (Faperta UGM), he continued his interest by delving into the biological perspective of food crops. He aimed to graduate quickly from the beginning, thus making various preparations to support his studies.
“Before enrolling, I had already prepared a research proposal and funding cooperation, with a minimum publication output of three, both international (at least Q3) and national (at least Sinta 2 accredited),” he said.
Muazam mentioned that from 2017 to 2024, he conducted at least 15 research studies on food crops. Some of these studies evaluated the impact of organic materials on crop productivity and the morphological diversity of food crops across various regions.
The thesis that led Muazam to become the fastest master’s graduate was titled “Identification of Morphological Plants and Yield Stability of Several Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) Genotypes in Gunungkidul DIY,” supervised by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono.
In addition to studying, Muazam was already working as a researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), which required him to be at the office while studying. Instead of seeing this as a burden, Muazam turned it into an opportunity.
His thesis earned him a degree and supported his career at BRIN as a researcher in the Optimization and Enhancement of Local Food Crop Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through this research, Muazam investigated the potential of local food crops, specifically sorghum, in the Gunungkidul area of Yogyakarta.
When asked about the potential of sorghum, Muazam explained that Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is one of the food crops that can grow in dry areas. This plant is known to have higher fiber content compared to rice and wheat, making it a promising alternative food source.
Muazam’s research revealed the morphological diversity of sorghum in all morphological characters, especially in the form of panicles, seed color, and stalk structure. He also gathered information on the micronutrient content beneficial for health and national food security. According to him, local sorghum is just as good as imported sorghum.
Reflecting on his time at the Faculty of Biology, the man born in Gunungkidul on Sep. 5, 1984, expressed joy and satisfaction in returning to his alma mater for his master’s studies.
“I enjoy studying biology at UGM. I gained many valuable experiences. The lecturers are friendly and kind-hearted, and the staff is also amiable. There’s even an acceleration program or Fast Track,” he said.
He fully supports the Fast Track program developed by UGM, a flagship program designed for undergraduate students (S1) to continue to the master’s level (S2) directly.
“This program is designed to facilitate students with academic abilities and motivation for further studies, allowing them to achieve bachelor’s and master’s degrees within five years,” he explained.
Muazam’s success as the fastest graduate is not easy to achieve, but it is not impossible. Graduating quickly with maximum and effective achievement has been proven by Muazam. Besides thorough preparation, Muazam always prioritized determination and sincere intentions throughout the process.
“Have a sincere intention to study and work to seek the blessings of Almighty God, study diligently, and maintain regular worship,” he concluded.
Author: Tasya
Editor: Gusti Grehenson