By combining academic excellence with effective time management, Sanidheo Chandra Ramadhana, a UGM Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM) graduate, demonstrated how focused ambition can yield extraordinary results.
In just 3 years, 1 month, and 14 days, he became the fastest graduate at UGM with a GPA of 3.83 during the Undergraduate and Applied Bachelor Graduation Ceremony at Grha Sabha Pramana on Thursday (Nov. 21).
Remarkably, much of his thesis work was completed while participating in a student exchange program in Germany.
Sanidheo, or Dheo, was born and raised in Yogyakarta. He attended SMP Negeri 5 Yogyakarta and SMA Negeri 3 Yogyakarta. His interest in politics and governance began in high school, leading him to pursue a Public Policy and Management (MKP) degree at UGM.
Time management was Dheo’s key strategy throughout his studies. He completed his thesis early during his fifth semester while on the exchange program in Germany.
“While abroad, I focused on finishing my thesis, so I didn’t need to retake any classes in the sixth semester. My thesis was already done when I did my community service program (KKN). If you ask whether it was overwhelming, I’d say with proper time management, anything is possible,” Dheo explained on Monday (Nov. 25).
While prioritizing academics, Dheo also valued a balance between academic and extracurricular activities.
“Experience in organizations and social interactions is just as important. Many of my friends were active in organizations or spent time socializing, but I chose to focus. I spent two years in student organizations, so I knew when it was time to stop and pursue bigger goals,” he shared.
Dheo’s undergraduate thesis reflects his concern for strategic issues. His thesis, “The State’s Policy Remediation of Human Rights Due Diligence in Indonesia’s Palm Oil Industry Labor Supply Chain,” explores the importance of ratifying human rights policies within Indonesia’s palm oil supply chain.
His work caught the attention of UNDP researchers, who later invited him to join a related research project in Sorong, West Papua.
In addition to academic achievements, Dheo was active as a speaker in various forums, delivering training on organizational development, conflict advocacy, and student association leadership regeneration. He also interned at an international NGO specializing in writing.
“Since my early semesters, I started interning. These activities prepared me for a future career. For me, being a student isn’t just about attending classes and marking attendance; it’s about learning through hands-on experiences,” he said.
Dheo has been accepted into the University of London for a master’s program but is awaiting results for the LPDP scholarship. He also plans to continue contributing through research and international projects relevant to his field.
“I aim to further my studies while working in the public policy sector to create widespread impact. I plan to complete my UNDP contract until February 2025, then focus on my master’s program,” he revealed.
Dheo emphasized the importance of staying true to one’s ideals and avoiding negative influences. His journey proves that dedication, hard work, and good time management can lead to success.
With an exemplary academic track record and contributions to strategic issues, Dheo inspires others to achieve outstanding accomplishments at a young age.
“We must be selective in choosing our circle of friends. Don’t get carried away by unproductive trends. It’s also crucial to have clear goals and pursue them fearlessly,” he concluded.
Author: Lintang
Editor: Gusti Grehenson