Heni Ardianto (25) is one of the graduates who completed the Master of Science in Management Program at the UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM) on Wednesday (Apr. 24).
He completed his master’s studies with a GPA of 3.72 and received the cum laude predicate. Equally remarkable, Ardi managed to pursue his education without paying tuition fees by utilizing the LPDP scholarship.
It’s not just about his success in completing his studies, but what’s interesting is Ardi’s journey in pursuing education from elementary and junior high to higher education. Furthermore, Ardi also comes from a family affected by the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Palu in 2018.
Ardi shared that he is the first child of two siblings born to Didik Iswanto (49) and Tiyarmi (45). His parents are from Prambanan, Central Java, and have lived in Morowali, Central Sulawesi, since 1983. They work as farm laborers.
Despite being born into a humble family, Ardi’s spirit to pursue education to the highest level didn’t dampen. With perseverance, hard work, and prayers from his parents, he managed to break the stigma that a village child from remote areas outside Java Island with limited economic conditions could pursue education up to the master’s level.
“Since childhood, I wanted to go to college. Looking at my parents’ limited economic condition, it seemed difficult, but I had the determination and strong will to find a way to go to college,” he explained.
He understands his parents’ situation well. However, this man, born in Limbo Makmur on Aug. 2, 1998, has a strong spirit to receive education at higher levels far beyond his parents, who only completed primary school. Through education, he believes he can improve his family’s life.
“My parents only managed to go to primary school. I want to go to higher education to improve our family’s condition,” he said.
Aware of his family’s limited resources, Ardi also worked part-time during his studies. He started as a lecturer assistant during his undergraduate and master’s studies, part of a team for strategic environmental assessment studies (KLHS) in several regencies in Central Sulawesi, and part of a team for business feasibility analysis documents in several companies.
“Aside from gaining knowledge and experience, it’s also to earn extra money for living expenses,” he said.
The family’s economic constraints never made him lose heart. Instead, they motivated him to strive for education. He excelled in school and earned scholarships to vocational school and a master’s degree.
During his master’s studies, Ardi actively participated in several international conferences. Some include the 15th Global Conference on Business and Social Sciences 2023 in Thailand, the International Conference on Business and Finance 2023 at the International UEH University in Vietnam, and the 42nd EBES Conference 2023 in Lisbon, held virtually.
Despite being born into a family with limited economic resources, Ardi proved that financial limitations are not barriers to pursuing higher education. Universitas Gadjah Mada remains firmly committed to realizing quality, equitable, and inclusive higher education for all, including less fortunate families, persons with disabilities, and people in remote areas.
Author: FEB UGM/Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Editor: Gusti Grehenson