Awane Theovilla Yogi was filled with happiness, wiping away her tears several times.
She felt overwhelmed after attending UGM’s Bachelor and Applied Bachelor Graduation Ceremony on Thursday (Nov. 21) at Grha Sabha Pramana.
She held tightly onto her Bachelor of Economics degree from the UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM).
For Yogi, earning a degree from UGM was no easy feat. Hailing from Awabutu in the Paniai District of Central Papua Province, she had always aspired to receive the best education despite coming from an underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) region.
After finishing elementary school, she continued her studies at SMP Santa Maria in Bandung. When she entered grade IX, she returned to Jayapura to complete her education at YPPK Kristus Raja Junior High School.
Fortunately, she received the ADEM (Affirmative Middle Education) scholarship, allowing her to continue her studies at SMA Negeri 1 Bojong in Pekalongan. After graduating from high school, she received the Affirmative Higher Education scholarship, which brought her to FEB UGM.
The daughter of Jonas Yogi and Theresia Gobai admitted that the early days of her university studies were challenging. She experienced stress and had difficulty adjusting to campus life.
“I doubted whether I could make it. Seeing my friends’ backgrounds shocked me, and I felt mentally overwhelmed. I felt insecure, but reality wasn’t as bad as I imagined. My friends on campus were very helpful and supportive,” she recalled.
Yogi expressed her gratitude for the openness and kindness of her friends at FEB UGM. They were always willing to study together and provide guidance when she had trouble understanding certain subjects.
“They were very helpful whenever I didn’t understand something. I could ask them questions, and they even allowed me to photocopy their materials. So, I didn’t feel alone or left behind,” explained her.
Yogi’s university journey didn’t go smoothly. In 2019, she had to pause her studies due to widespread racial tensions against Papuan students in various regions.
As a result, she took a break during her second year and returned to her hometown.
“I considered transferring to another university. But after some thought, I realized my sacrifices were too great to give up, both physically and emotionally. Fortunately, I could persevere with my family and friends’ support,” she said.
After obtaining her degree, Yogi plans to return to her hometown of Awabutu to serve her community. She explained that her hometown is rich in potential but has not been fully developed.
With the education she has achieved, she dreams of making the area a prime destination and improving the welfare of its residents.
“Awabutu is like Dieng, with fertile land and a beautiful lake. If well-managed, it could become a major destination and help boost the local economy,” she added.
Although there are many schools in her hometown, she noted that accessibility to education services remains difficult, especially for students living in villages across the lake. Yogi’s mother, a counseling guidance teacher, has even opened her home to accommodate children who need a place to stay to continue their education.
“I hope to return to Awabutu and contribute to both education and the local economy,” she concluded.
Reporters: FEB UGM/Shofi Hawa Anjani & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Afif