Cynthia Fransisca (22) never imagined she would be named the best undergraduate graduate of the Faculty of Economics and Business UGM (FEB UGM). She completed her studies in the Accounting Study Program in 3 years, 4 months, and 12 days with a GPA of 3.97, graduating with cum laude honors. Being awarded Best Graduate of FEB UGM at the Graduation Ceremony Period II of the 2025/2026 Academic Year was certainly a source of pride for the young woman who was born and raised in Bangka Island.
Growing up far from Indonesia’s major education centers, Cynthia admitted that she initially did not dare to dream of studying at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). Moreover, both of her parents only completed elementary school. These circumstances once made her doubt herself, but over time, she came to understand that privilege does not always come in the form of ease.
“Privilege does not come to everyone in the same way or at the same time. It is not always in the form of convenience, but often in the form of opportunity, the opportunity to learn, to try, and to persevere,” she said at the UGM campus on Friday (Feb. 27).
For Cynthia, her achievement represents more than just numbers; it is the result of determination, hard work, and perseverance. Although she graduated from a vocational high school (SMK), she believed that every student starts from the same line when entering FEB UGM. She instilled in herself the confidence not to feel inferior.
At the beginning of her studies, she felt quite confident, particularly in introductory accounting courses, having gained prior knowledge from vocational school. However, for several courses, such as economic mathematics, she acknowledged having to study harder to catch up.
“In some subjects, I once felt ahead. But in others, I felt like I understood the least. That’s when I realized that in university, everything resets to zero; the only difference is the willingness to keep learning,” she explained.
Beyond focusing on academics, Cynthia was also active in student organizations and competitions. She was involved in Ikatan Mahasiswa Akuntansi Gadjah Mada (the Gadjah Mada Accounting Student Association / IMAGAMA) and served on committees within her study program.
In her second semester, she was selected as a recipient of the Tanoto Teladan Scholarship 2023–2026 from Tanoto Foundation. Through the Tanoto Scholar Association (TSA) UGM, she later served as a staff member and eventually as Networking Division Manager, responsible for expanding networks while strengthening her team coordination skills.
Entering her fifth semester, Cynthia began focusing on participating in various competitions. Together with her team, she won third place at the Udayana International Accounting Competition 2024, an achievement that motivated her to continue taking on new challenges. She also earned a Gold Medal at the International Youth Business Competition 2024 hosted by Universitas Diponegoro and secured second place at the Decarbonizing Indonesia Business Case Competition 2025.
She admitted that she had participated in numerous competitions that ended in the semifinals or required her to withdraw due to academic scheduling conflicts. Nevertheless, she values the learning process far more than the final result.
“Not every competition must end in victory. What matters is learning to think critically, work in teams, and solve problems in a structured way,” she said.
Cynthia acknowledged that her academic journey was not always smooth. At the beginning of nearly every semester, she felt overwhelmed by new schedules and learning patterns. On several occasions, she experienced burnout, which taught her to recognize her limits, organize her schedule more effectively, and set clear priorities. These experiences shaped her understanding of the true meaning of success.
Her years at FEB UGM, she said, cultivated resilience, a growth mindset, and the ability to make well-considered decisions by setting priorities wisely. She also experienced the values of integrity and discipline throughout her studies. A supportive campus environment, she noted, strengthened her network and confidence to keep growing.
Ahead of graduation, Cynthia shared that she has been accepted for a position at Ernst & Young (EY), a public accounting firm. For her, securing the position is the result of consistency and the courage to seize various opportunities during her studies.
“We may graduate on the same day, but we will not walk the same path. Success is not about who finishes first, but about who remains faithful to their calling,” she concluded.
Reporter: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum / FEB UGM Public Relations
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Zabrina Kumara
Photo: FEB UGM Documentation