A smile crossed the face of Muh Ridho Kurniawan Saadi (21) as he took part in UGM’s Bachelor’s Graduation Ceremony last November. He was overjoyed to join the ceremony, in which he earned several distinctions. Completing his studies at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), he graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.94. He also finished his degree in 3 years, 11 months, and 2 days, earning the cum laude distinction.
With the recognition he received, Saadi was seated in the front row among the graduates and delivered a speech on behalf of the cohort. His voice faltered briefly as he spoke. At the beginning of his remarks, he invited fellow graduates to reflect on what they had accomplished.
“It is an honor for me to represent my fellow graduates in sharing a few words on this joyful day. Friends, do you believe in the saying, ‘If we can dream it, we can make it come true’?” he said.
Coming from a small village on Buton Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Saadi admitted that he sometimes still struggled to believe how far he had come. Coming from a modest family living far from educational centers, he felt deeply grateful for his academic journey. Despite limited access, he was ultimately able to study at FEB UGM.
“I am truly grateful to have held onto this dream until it came true, and finally, to graduate,” he said on Thursday (Dec. 4).
Saadi’s dream began when he was still in elementary school on Buton Island. He nurtured that dream while imagining himself one day receiving the best possible education. After finishing high school, his wish was fulfilled. He was accepted into the Accounting Program at FEB UGM, supported by the KIP-Kuliah scholarship.
“At first, my parents were worried because they had no idea what it meant to send their child far away. I patiently explained the available scholarship opportunities and other ways I could earn income, such as participating in competitions, joining committees, and assisting lecturers. Only then did my parents understand,” he recalled of his early days before coming to UGM.
Saadi said his interest in accounting did not emerge suddenly. It grew steadily since middle school, when he participated in the National Science Olympiad (OSN) for Social Sciences and won a bronze medal. His involvement in OSN continued into high school, and he twice represented Southeast Sulawesi in the OSN for Economics.
“During national competitions, I realized that studying opportunities would be much broader if I went elsewhere, and I had already envisioned choosing FEB UGM,” he said.
Entering UGM and beginning his studies in 2021, Saadi said he encountered no significant challenges until July 2023, when he faced a heavy blow when his mother passed away from heart disease. He experienced profound grief, as his mother had always been the person who trusted him and supported him whenever he confronted difficulties.
“In our last phone call, I told her I was late submitting one of my final exam assignments because I had misread the deadline. But she reassured me that everything would be fine,” he recalled.
Although coping with grief was not easy, Saadi continued his studies with determination. He remained committed to his coursework and emphasized the importance of understanding one’s own interests rather than following others’ choices.
“When you pursue something you truly enjoy, the learning process becomes more meaningful, the results are usually better, and building friendships during college is also crucial for supporting smooth studies,” he said.
Saadi continues to nurture his dreams. He admitted that the journey throughout university was far from easy. There were many challenges and long nights filled with assignments and endless thesis revisions.
“But hold on to that dream, the dream to finish what you started and earn your degree. Becoming a graduate is not the end of the dream; it is the beginning of pursuing even greater ones. Believe me, if you can dream it, I believe you will, and surely, you’ll make it come true,” he said.
For Saadi, dreams are an inner force that propels a person forward, while blessings in their many forms guide the path from the outside. As a young man from Sulawesi, he holds the expression Kabarakatina tana Wolio, a saying from his homeland, closely.
“Kabarakatina tana Wolio is a prayer often taught by parents and teachers to be spoken when facing important moments. It means relying on God Almighty’s blessings so that God Almighty may open life’s path. It is a reminder that every human step always rests upon blessings,” he said.
Reporter: FEB UGM/Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya