Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) conferred degrees upon 90 doctoral graduates as part of its 1,054 postgraduate graduates during the graduation ceremony held on Wednesday (Jul. 22). The average GPA for doctoral graduates this period was 3.89, with 28 graduates achieving a perfect 4.00 GPA. Among them was 37-year-old I Made Sarmita, a graduate of the Doctoral Program in Population Studies at the UGM Graduate School, who completed his doctoral degree in just two years and ten months.
Originally from Badung Regency, Bali, Made admitted he never expected to graduate with honors and a perfect academic record. He said the experience reinforced his belief that genuine effort always yields results, especially when accompanied by the prayers and support of loved ones.
“I am grateful for the prayers and support from everyone, including my family, my supervisor and co-supervisor, as well as my colleagues,” he said on Thursday (Jul. 30).
Made acknowledged that his journey toward earning a doctoral degree was far from easy. He began his academic career by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Geography Education at Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha (Undiksha) in Bali from 2006 to 2010. He then moved to Yogyakarta to pursue a master’s degree in Population Studies at UGM from 2011 to 2013 before returning to the same program for his doctoral studies from 2023 to 2026.
His decision to pursue Population Studies stemmed from his interest in the field, which he considers both dynamic and highly relevant. According to him, many empirical issues society faces are closely related to population and demographic studies.
“I chose the doctoral program in Population Studies because it aligns with my master’s degree and remains closely connected to my undergraduate academic background,” he explained.
At the beginning of his doctoral studies, Made’s motivation and commitment were put to the test. He experienced uncertainty while waiting for confirmation of the scholarship he had applied for. Nevertheless, his determination and confidence kept him focused on his studies, and he ultimately secured the scholarship.
Throughout his studies, Made said he greatly benefited from the facilities and academic support provided by UGM. He appreciated the lecturers and education staff for offering a flexible learning environment. Although the coursework was demanding, he encountered very few significant obstacles during his doctoral journey.
“My supervisor and co-supervisor consistently monitored my progress, maintained active communication, and regularly asked about my research progress. At times, I felt like they were constantly pushing me, but in the end, it was all for my benefit and for the program,” he said.
Made encouraged students to trust their abilities while relying on prayer as an essential source of strength to complete their studies and achieve academic excellence. According to him, every challenge has a solution. He emphasized that tasks become manageable when approached with sincerity and persistence, whereas they seem overwhelming if left undone. “We need to embrace the process, do our best, and leave the final outcome to God,” he advised.
He also encouraged prospective doctoral students who aspire to graduate with honors to prepare their research plans even before beginning their studies. Once enrolled in the first semester, students should discuss their research ideas with lecturers, the head of the study program, or course instructors.
“Once the research plan is fairly well developed, ask the study program to recommend prospective supervisors and co-supervisors whose expertise aligns with your research interests. Their workload, communication style, and other characteristics should also be taken into consideration,” he explained.
Furthermore, Made recommended that students aim to take their comprehensive examination during the second semester to receive constructive feedback as early as possible. He believes this step also provides a clearer roadmap for future publications, allowing research findings to be published more efficiently. He noted that many doctoral students face challenges in the publication process and emphasized the importance of carefully selecting journals that meet each study program’s publication requirements.
In addition, Made encouraged students to stay focused, consistent, and motivated as they pursue the highest academic achievements. Throughout his doctoral studies at the UGM Graduate School’s Population Studies Program, he experienced a collaborative academic environment where students supported one another in graduating on time.
He hopes current and future doctoral students will stay optimistic, believing that every goal can be achieved through perseverance and wholehearted commitment.
Author: Hanifah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Zabrina Kumara
Photo: Courtesy of Made