Two alumni from the International Undergraduate Program (IUP) of the UGM Faculty of Biology (Biology UGM), Julio Jonah Lengkong Worang and Aisyah Rahmah Tantri, have received the LPDP scholarship from the Ministry of Finance of Indonesia to continue their master’s studies at universities abroad.
Worang will pursue his studies at the National University of Singapore (NUS), while Tantri will study at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
In separate interviews, Worang expressed his excitement at receiving the LPDP scholarship to continue his master’s degree in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainability at NUS. He aims to deepen his knowledge in the field of conservation.
Worang acknowledged that since his time at the IUP in Biology at UGM, he has been motivated to choose a more specific and aligned master’s program. He is particularly interested in biodiversity issues and learning about field methods and applied technologies that aid in conservation efforts.
“I want to develop remote sensing technology and geographic information systems to help collect data in real-time,” Worang said on Tuesday (Jun. 18).
Worang feels prepared for his master’s education abroad thanks to the leadership and skills he gained while studying at Biology UGM. During his undergraduate years, he was a laboratory assistant in general biology, animal systematics, and animal development structure laboratories and the head of the curriculum division in the entomology study group.
Asked about his aspirations after completing his master’s degree, Worang hopes to contribute to the development of the Nusantara Capital City (IKN), especially by managing mangrove trees in Balikpapan Bay, a hotspot for biodiversity and a source of income for local communities.
“Fortunately, in my master’s education, I will learn about nature-based and technology-based climate solutions, which are still lacking in Indonesia,” Worang emphasized.
In contrast, Tantri was motivated to continue her studies by the values instilled by her parents, who encouraged family members to at least obtain a master’s degree.
“My mother is a lecturer, and my father has always been supportive in fostering a spirit of learning,” Tantri said.
She chose the master’s program in Quantitative Genetics and Genome Analysis at the University of Edinburgh, which aligns with her academic interests and career development goals.
“I want to use the resources I acquire to contribute back to Indonesia,” she stated.
Tantri feels fortunate to have studied at Biology UGM because she participated in various student mobility programs in addition to academic education. According to her, these exchange programs provided valuable experiences and broadened her international perspective.
She has participated in the student mobility program at Yamagata University, IISMA at Newcastle University, and an online course at Osaka University.
Tantri mentioned that interacting with students and faculty from around the world and discussing various biological science issues during these exchange programs helped her become wiser and more open-minded.
Behind their impressive achievements of receiving the LPDP scholarship, Worang and Tantri believe that the key to success is consistency in studying. It’s not about spending a lot of time but dedicating a little daily to consistent learning, which can lead to significant changes.
During their studies, they both strived to apply enjoyable learning concepts in their ways. They even used this principle in preparing their LPDP scholarship applications.
The Chair of the Undergraduate Program at Biology UGM, Dr. Sukirno, and the IUP in Biology Manager, Dr. Nur Indah Septriani, expressed their pride in Worang and Tantri for successfully receiving the LPDP scholarship and having the opportunity to continue their master’s education abroad.
Dr. Sukirno hopes they will complete their studies on time and contribute their knowledge upon returning to Indonesia.
“We are very proud to see the achievements of these 2019 Biology alumni. They are an extraordinary example of dedication and resilience in pursuing their dreams and aspirations,” Dr. Sukirno said.
Author: Dita
Editor: Gusti Grehenson