Amid the graduating students and the proud smiles of their families, one name stood out at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)’s Bachelor’s and Applied Bachelor’s Graduation Ceremony last Thursday (Nov. 27). Farras Ulinnuha, a young woman from Lampung, has just graduated from the International Undergraduate Program (IUP) in Medicine. She officially earned the distinction of the youngest graduate, completing her studies at the age of 19 years, 8 months, and 17 days. By comparison, the average age of the 1,729 undergraduate graduates was 22 years, 6 months, and 15 days.
Farras shared that since elementary school, she had progressed through education faster than most of her peers. She recalled taking the national examination to enter junior high school while still in the fifth grade, alongside older students (an opportunity permitted at the time).
“I entered elementary school at the age of four and a half, then spent three years in junior high school, and during senior high school I completed my studies in just two years,” she said when speaking to reporters on Thursday (Dec. 4).
Entering university at 16 was not easy. Farras admitted she had to adapt to a new environment, a different learning culture, and social dynamics among classmates who were mostly older than she was. Even so, she felt fortunate that the medical school environment at UGM was inclusive and helped her adjust quickly.
“At the beginning of my studies, the adjustment was not always smooth, but gradually I found the right rhythm,” she recalled.
Her interest in medicine developed from an early age. She often accompanied her mother to work at the hospital and helped out at the family clinic, which made her familiar with the medical world. She hopes to continue her medical training and eventually return to Lampung to serve the local community.
“So I have long been familiar with the world of medicine. When I learned about UGM, I thought I could study there and wanted to become a doctor so that access to healthcare services in Indonesia could be more evenly distributed,” she said.
During her time on campus, Farras sought to maintain balance by actively participating in student organizations within the faculty. She joined the Asian Medical Students Association (AMSA) and the Center for Indonesian Medical Students’ Activities (CIMSA), which provided her with space to learn beyond the classroom without added pressure.
She also recalled that during her pre-clinical studies and anatomy classes, she and her friends were allowed to enter an operating room with an orthopedic surgeon who taught them.
“That was the most valuable moment. I was truly amazed, being in the early stages of my studies and already able to directly observe how a minor operating room works,” she said.
Farras hopes that her journey can inspire other students. She believes that success does not always come from speed, but from consistency and confidence in one’s own process. At such a young age, she has closed a long chapter of her undergraduate education, carrying great hopes for the future and plans to return and serve her hometown.
“Keep going. I used to feel desperate, too, but now, thank God, I have graduated. The point is that everyone has their own timeline, so stay motivated and do your best,” Farras concluded.
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographs: Farras Ulinnuha