Yogyakarta – “The more important thing is instilling values of honesty and discipline to children early on.” That is the first thing delivered by Susyanto, father of Suvia Sakinah, a new student of UGM year 2011 who is accepted at Faculty of Psychology UGM through written exam of National Entrance Selection Test to State University (SNMPTN). So, what is the point of Susyanto’s statement?
Susyanto’s statement is actually related to the nominal value of Academic Quality Improvement Contribution (SPMA) that has to be paid by UGM new students. Based on his awareness in honesty values, Susyanto who is a teacher of SMP 1 Tersono in Batang, Central Java, changed the category from SPMA 2 to SPMA 3. Automatically, the contribution that he should pay also changed from 10 million rupiah to 20 million rupiah.
“It’s alright, mas. The most important thing is honesty and discipline that should be instilled to children early on,” Susyanto said on Thursday (7/7).
Susyanto said that initially Suvia did not know exactly about the salary of her parents, so she filled in the category of SPMA 2 in the form, which is actually for students whose parents have salary between 2.5 million – 5 million rupiah. In fact, the salary of Suvia’s parents is about 7 million.
“Fortunately, my wife is also a teacher in SD Muhammadiyah Kranggan, so our salary combined is over 7 million rupiah,” he explained. Perhaps, it is rare to find someone as honest as Susyanto presently. Yes, today people are competing, looking for material gains but forget other things which are more valuable, namely honesty. Honesty is very difficult to find in difficult situations. The case, however, does not apply for Susyanto.
“I cannot lie to myself, though I have to pay more expensively. Moreover, I fully believed that UGM will educate Suvia,” the man born in Batang on 20 December 1959, said.
Meanwhile, Suvia Sakinah on the occasion admitted that Faculty of Psychology UGM was her first choice in the SNMPTN. The girl born on 2 December 1993 chose UGM because it is already popular in national and international levels. Besides, in her opinion, UGM is credible and fair in admitting new students.
“Faculty of Psychology has good prospect. Besides, I am optimistic to study at UGM because it is credible and fair in receiving new students,” Suvia from SMA 5 Semarang said. Although her parents lived in Batang, she had lived at a lodging in Semarang since her first year of Senior High School. Principles of freedom and independence were taught by her parents, including in her selecting Faculty of Psychology UGM.
Yes, this is one of the stories in the new student admission at UGM. Educational cost in UGM is actually common and affordable. If there is objection about the nominal value of SPMA, the university is willing to open dialogue and give solutions while UGM student candidates will not lose their right as student candidates.
In previous SNMPTN by invitation, UGM also integrated programs of Excellent Student Search (PBU), which included PBUTM (Disadvantaged and Excellent Student Search). Many disadvantaged students who have great achievements are targeted in this program. This is evidence that UGM is still a populist campus, a campus which accommodates outstanding students from disadvantaged community. By UGM, those students are facilitated with scholarships, both through Bidik Misi program from Ministry of National Education and scholarships provided by UGM and partners. Novita Nur Diarini, student of Pharmacy class 2010, is one of students who won such scholarship. This is the interview with Novita recently.
How did you feel to be accepted in UGM through PBUTM?
Alhamdulillah, I am profoundly grateful to be accepted in a remarkable campus like UGM. Formerly, I did not imagine to be able to study at UGM considering I am from disadvantaged family. But, finally the doubt disappeared after I was admitted to Faculty of Pharmacy.
How did you get accepted at UGM? Can you tell us?
I had dreamed to study at UGM since I was in first year of Senior High School. Honestly, I was also inspired by my brother, Awang Sukoco (Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering class 2006) who went to UGM through PBUTM. Then, I studied hard and finally able to be at the top three from the first to sixth semesters. Furthermore, I was nominated by my school to enroll at Faculty Pharmacy UGM through PBUTM. Another important thing is certainly the support from my parents and family.
What do you get from PBUTM?
Gratefully, through this way I can study in my favorite Faculty, Pharmacy. Fortunately, my ideal is to be a pharmacist. I get Bidik Misi scholarship so that I don’t have to pay for all educational costs and I get financial assistance as much as 600 thousands rupiah each month for four years. I can use this fund as pocket money and buy books or other course materials. Therefore, I can reduce my parents’ burden. On campus, I get many assistances and guidance from lecturers.
What is your expectation about PBUTM?
Personally, I expect that this program can be run by UGM continuously. Hopefully, the quota of students is increased.
After being accepted at UGM, what can you contribute to UGM?
I want to get better achievement in UGM, at national and, hopefully, international levels, too. UGM up to now has made many achievements. I have initiated to make my achievements, too, since the beginning where in the first semester my GPA was 3.16. Currently, I am also active in woman division of Moslem Student Association of Pharmacy that also regularly holds peer discussion in the department on religious issues.