Lintang Sekar Jagad, a graduate of Public Policy and Management at the UGM Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM), earned the title of the fastest graduate during the UGM Bachelor and Applied Bachelor Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
Jagad completed her studies in just 3 years, 1 month, and 25 days, graduating with cum laude honors, while the average study duration for 1,256 undergraduate graduates was 4 years and 3 months.
Initially, she did not expect to become the fastest graduate, as she never aimed to finish early.
“Honestly, I never set a target to be the fastest graduate, but of course, I wanted to finish my studies on time,” she said on Friday, Mar. 7, 2025.
She attributed her achievement to the support of friends, family, and faculty, specifically thanking her thesis advisor, Nurul Dwi Purwanti, for her guidance and motivation throughout the thesis process.
Jagad’s thesis, “Trends and Policy Contradictions in Indonesia’s Renewable Energy Development,” focused on renewable energy.
The thesis analyzed the government’s renewable energy policies from 2019 to 2024 and highlighted policy contradictions, emphasizing the urgency of renewable energy in Indonesia.
Beyond academics, Jagad was actively involved in student activities and projects supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
As a Tanoto TELADAN scholarship recipient, she participated in the Tanoto Scholars Association (TSA) and contributed to several events, including the Pay it Forward program, which collaborated with Jogja MSMEs and Shopee to promote products and provide training to business owners.
She also worked on policy briefs, one of which focused on optimizing environmental and socio-cultural sustainability in tourism development at Prawirotaman Village, Yogyakarta.
Jagad and her team conducted field research, engaging directly with local residents.
When asked for advice on graduating quickly, Jagad emphasized the importance of knowing one’s potential and focusing on personal goals.
“Set and focus on your goals, and don’t feel left behind by anyone else. Make sure every day is a step forward, always accompanied by prayer. Most importantly, enjoy the process,” she advised.
Studying Public Policy and Management at Fisipol UGM was a memorable experience for Jagad. It gave her insight into both social-political academic fields and the dynamics of Indonesian policies.
“With my academic background and experience, hopefully, I can contribute in whatever way I can to Indonesian politics and make a difference so that Indonesia becomes a better country in the future,” she concluded.
Author: Tasya
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang