Birrul Qodriyah, a Bidik Misi scholarship recipient and UGM alumna who completed her education up to a master’s degree and started her own business, shared her inspirational journey during a briefing for KIP-K scholarship recipients on Tuesday (Nov. 26).
Speaking in front of 1,700 students from the 2024 Indonesia Smart College Card (KIP-K) program, Qodriyah recounted her journey from receiving financial aid for higher education to earning various degrees and achievements.
In 2010, Qodriyah received the Bidik Misi program in the Nursing Science program at the Faculty of Medicine.
The woman from Bantul, who now runs a furniture business, reflected on her college days, emphasizing that everyone has the opportunity to achieve success.
“On the first day I found out I was accepted at UGM, I wrote down that I would become UGM’s top student, even though I didn’t know at the time what it meant to be the best student,” Qodriyah recalled.
Through hard work, Qodriyah realized her dream three years later when she was named UGM’s Most Outstanding Student in 2013.
From this experience, Qodriyah learned that determination can come from anywhere. As long as someone has confidence and affirms that their goals are attainable, the effort and resolve needed to achieve them will be eased.
This was something Qodriyah experienced firsthand.
“I used to see my seniors chatting with the president, and in my heart, I prayed that I could also meet and talk with the president one day. And, as it turned out, Allah SWT granted that wish,” she revealed.
Qodriyah was eventually selected as the representative for Bidik Misi students from across Indonesia and had the opportunity to deliver a speech in front of then-President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2014.
After graduating from UGM, Qodriyah pursued a master’s degree at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, with an LPDP Indonesia scholarship. She also actively participated in international conferences and built global networks.
Qodriyah later started a furniture business called “Cabinesia,” motivated by her desire to create jobs.
“The state has funded my education, so I must contribute. It may not be much yet, but this is my way of giving back for what I have received,” Qodriyah said.
In addition to sharing her experiences, Qodriyah also outlined the challenges students will face in the future. She predicts that in 30 years, there will be a phenomenon of academic inflation.
As more and more people graduate from higher education institutions, intense competition will arise, especially in the job market. UGM graduates are expected to master various competencies and become pioneers in every generation.
Therefore, Qodriyah stressed the importance of exploring experiences and soft skills during college.
“We live in a technological era. Unfortunately, many of us lack essential soft skills. We spend much time on social media, but only as consumers,” Qodriyah explained.
She reminded students not to waste opportunities to learn and create while still in college. Studying is important, but students should also consider the contributions they can make to society and the country.
The KIP-K program, which has been running since 2021 under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek), has opened broad access to education for the lower-middle class.
The provision of financial aid is also part of UGM’s effort to ensure students’ education is not hindered by economic conditions. This year, UGM accepted 1,676 KIP-K students and 24 additional students nominated by the community.
Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni Dr. Arie Sujito emphasized the need to uphold the commitment to educational inclusivity.
“Expanding access to higher education, especially for marginalized groups, is necessary. It is also crucial to improve human resource quality, particularly for national development,” Dr. Sujito explained.
The Director of Student Affairs, Dr. Sindung Tjahyadi, expressed a similar sentiment. The KIP-K scholarship has helped students gain access to education at UGM.
“It greatly helps them improve access to education,” he stated.
Author: Tasya
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Firsto
Post-editor: Afif