“Just let go of that dream.” Those words have stayed with 18-year-old Izzat El Umam Setiadi ever since. While seeking advice about pursuing higher education, people repeatedly told him to be more realistic. Coming from a high school whose graduates were rarely admitted to Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), aiming for the university was considered far too ambitious. But for Izzat, dreams are not meant to be buried; instead, they are meant to be pursued. That conviction ultimately led him to enroll in UGM’s Food and Agricultural Product Technology undergraduate program and receive a full tuition fee waiver (UKT 0).
The road to UGM was not the first time Izzat had faced disappointment. Since childhood, he had dreamed of studying at the best schools. However, he failed to gain admission to his preferred junior and senior high schools. Rather than discouraging him, those experiences strengthened his determination to keep trying.
“From those experiences, I learned that failing is okay as long as you keep trying,” he said on Wednesday (Jul. 29).
Izzat’s aspiration to study at UGM began in the tenth grade. Through social media, he became familiar with UGM’s academic environment and student life. From that moment on, he set his sights on one major goal.
Although he knew his chances of admission through the achievement-based pathway were slim because his school rarely sent graduates to UGM, he continued preparing as thoroughly as possible. He built a strong portfolio by participating in various competitions while intensively preparing for the National Entrance Test (SNBT) beginning in the eleventh grade.
During his time at SMAN 1 Sampang in Cilacap, Izzat actively participated in the National Science Olympiad (OSN) in Geography, advancing to the provincial level after placing fourth in the district competition. He also won an Islamic Economics competition organized by Jenderal Soedirman University.
He was also an active member of the school’s English Club, competing in various English contests for two years while helping manage and promote extracurricular activities for younger students. For Izzat, every experience became an opportunity to develop his skills, strengthen his resilience, and expand the network that would help him achieve his goals.
A week before admissions results were announced, anxiety began to set in. He recalled waking up almost every night to pray tahajud. To him, the admission process felt like the final gateway to fulfilling his dream of studying at UGM. When the results were finally released and his name appeared on the list of successful applicants, he could not contain his gratitude. He immediately called his parents, prostrated in thankfulness, and embraced them.
“I immediately bowed down in gratitude,,” he recalled.
His family’s happiness grew even greater when Izzat learned that he had received a full tuition fee waiver through UGM’s UKT 0 policy. For him, the program not only eased the financial burden of higher education but also allowed him to focus on personal and professional development throughout his studies. Funds originally intended for tuition could instead be used to attend seminars, training programs, and skill-development activities that would prepare him for his future career.
“The tuition fee waiver has been incredibly helpful. It allows me to focus on developing myself during college,” he said.
Izzat’s interest in Food and Agricultural Product Technology stemmed from his habit of exploring information about different academic programs. One day, he came across content created by a Food Technology student showcasing an innovative instant noodle package made from recyclable and edible gelatin.
The innovation sparked his interest in issues such as food waste, plastic waste, and food security. He believes these challenges require innovations that can create meaningful impacts for society. In the future, he hopes to help develop food technologies that reduce food waste while strengthening Indonesia’s food security.
Behind his determination is a family that has always encouraged him to pursue his ambitions. His father, Khadik Setiadi, never imposed a particular university or major on his son. Instead, he encouraged Izzat to pursue his dream university despite the slim odds.
His support meant even more because he had once failed to enroll in his own dream university after an accident just one day before his entrance exam. That experience taught him that every child deserves the opportunity to fight for their dreams.
“Let him pursue his dreams. A parent’s job is simply to support them,” said Khadik, who works as an educator at Ma’had Al Imam Malik in Purwokerto. For him, Izzat’s admission to UGM is a blessing and proof that hard work never betrays results. Learning that his son had also received a full tuition fee waiver made the achievement even more meaningful, as it significantly eased the family’s financial burden.
For his mother, Tuti Yuli Suningsih, Izzat’s journey reflects perseverance cultivated little by little since childhood. As a parent, she has simply tried to accompany, remind, and support her son every step of the way.
“Alhamdulillah, the tuition fee waiver has been a tremendous help. Now we only need to focus on supporting his living expenses during college,” she said.
For Izzat, his parents remain the greatest source of motivation to keep moving forward. He is grateful they have always let him choose his own path and never asked him to abandon his dreams simply because they seemed difficult to achieve.
Today, Izzat sees the opportunity to study at UGM as the beginning of a greater purpose. Beyond excelling academically, participating in student organizations, and graduating on time, he hopes to develop food innovations that benefit society. For him, being admitted to UGM is not the end of his journey but the beginning of contributing solutions to Indonesia’s food challenges.
If he could one day speak to the younger version of himself who was once disappointed after failing to enter his preferred schools, he would share only one message.
“Never bury your dreams.”
For Izzat, failure is not the most frightening thing. The greatest danger lies in lowering one’s aspirations out of fear of trying.
“Keep pursuing your dreams and never bury them. As long as we keep trying, there will always be a way,” he said.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Zabrina Kumara
Photo: Firsto